sedimentary
Jasper with Hematite Inclusions
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Rusty orange, yellow-brown, and black banding; Luster: Dull to greasy when raw, waxy when wet; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Rusty orange, yellow-brown, and black banding
- Luster
- Dull to greasy when raw, waxy when wet
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Rusty orange, yellow-brown, and black banding; Luster: Dull to greasy when raw, waxy when wet; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed via the deposition of silica from hydrothermal solutions or in sedimentary environments where iron oxides are present. The banding suggests a metamorphic or sedimentary history involving intense pressure and layering over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), and as a decorative stone or collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The dark streaks are likely hematite or magnetite, which gives the stone its characteristic 'striped' or 'banded' look often found in riverbeds.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its smooth, water-worn texture. Commonly found in riverbeds and coastal areas where volcanic and sedimentary rocks have eroded.
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