mineral

Jasper (Green/Yellow Moss Jasper)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Variegated greens, yellows, and browns; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Variegated greens, yellows, and browns
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich groundwater percolating through volcanic ash or sediment. Often associated with volcanic activity where mineral-laden water fills cavities and solidifies over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for lapidary work, jewelry making (cabochons), interior decoration, and as a popular 'pocket stone' for mineral collectors due to its ability to take a high polish.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The name 'jasper' comes from the Greek word 'iaspis', meaning 'spotted stone.' Some specimens contain organic materials or iron oxides that create unique landscape-like patterns within the stone.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its waxy-to-glassy luster when wet, its lack of transparency (it is opaque), and its smooth conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in riverbeds, coastal gravels, and desert regions worldwide, particularly in Oregon, Idaho, and Madagascar.

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