sedimentary

Yellow Jasper

SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow, mustard, or sandy gold with spots/streaks; Luster: Dull/Greasy (raw) to Vitreous (polished); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; SG: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Yellow, mustard, or sandy gold with spots/streaks
Luster: Dull/Greasy (raw) to Vitreous (polished)

Identified March 17, 2026More sedimentary →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Yellow jasper is a microcrystalline variety of quartz. It forms through the accumulation of silica-rich fluids in volcanic or sedimentary environments, where mineral impurities (mostly iron oxides like goethite) provide the yellow pigmentation. These deposits often date from the Precambrian to recent eras.

Uses & applications

Primary uses include lapidary work for jewelry (beads, cabochons), metaphysical products (worry stones, meditation tools), and decorative ornamental objects.

Geological facts

Jasper is known as the 'Supreme Nurturer.' The yellow color specifically comes from inclusions of iron-rich ochre or hydrated iron oxides. It has been used historically by travelers and shamans as a protective talisman.

Field identification & locations

To identify in the field, look for an opaque mineral with a conchoidal (shell-like) fracture that cannot be scratched by a steel knife. It is commonly found in India, Russia, Brazil, France, and the USA (California and Oregon).