sedimentary

Script Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with impurities

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow, tan, and orange with black or dark brown markings; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58–2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Yellow, tan, and orange with black or dark brown markings
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 4, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation of fine-grained sediments and silica-rich fluids that solidify over millions of years. The distinctive patterns are often caused by the fossilization of algae or mud cracks filled with various minerals.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular specimen for rock collectors and lapidary enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Also known as Elephant Skin Jasper or Calligraphy Stone, the patterns are thought by some to resemble ancient scripts or hieroglyphs. It is not a true jasper in some classifications but rather a fossiliferous siltstone or mudstone.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high hardness, opaque appearance, and distinctive 'scribbled' or dendritic black patterns against a lighter earth-toned background. Common in India and desert regions.

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