sedimentary
Jasper with Quartz Veins
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Opaque reddish-brown with white intersecting veins. Luster: Dull to waxy. Crystal structure: Cryptocrystalline. No cleavage, conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Opaque reddish-brown with white intersecting veins
- Luster
- Dull to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Opaque reddish-brown with white intersecting veins. Luster: Dull to waxy. Crystal structure: Cryptocrystalline. No cleavage, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich fluids precipitating in deep-sea sediments or volcanic ash beds. The white veins are later-stage fractures filled with crystalline quartz. Can range from Precambrian to recent ages.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for ornamental purposes, lapidary work (cabochons), jewelry, and as a decorative stone in garden landscaping.
Geological facts
Jasper is an impure variety of silica. The red color is typically caused by iron(III) inclusions. The intersecting white lines are often called spider-webbing or matrix veins.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and smooth, water-worn texture. Commonly found in river beds or coastal areas where erosion has rounded the stone.
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