sedimentary
Jasper with Quartz vein
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - Microcrystalline Quartz
Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with white/cream veins; Luster: Dull to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Reddish-brown with white/cream veins
- Luster
- Dull to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with white/cream veins; Luster: Dull to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed from the deposition of silica from water (hydrothermal or volcanic) within cracks or fissures of other rocks. Red color often comes from iron inclusions (hematite).
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), ornamentation, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Jasper is an impure variety of silica. The name 'jasper' means 'spotted or speckled stone' and it has been used for seals and amulets since ancient Mesopotamian times.
Field identification & locations
Look for a stone that cannot be scratched by a steel knife and exhibits a smooth, shell-like (conchoidal) fracture surface. Common in riverbeds and gravel deposits worldwide.
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