mineral

Banded jasper (likely orbicular or brecciated jasper)

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide pigments and possible chalcedony

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, cream-white, ochre, red-brown, and gray banding; dull to waxy or subtly vitreous luster; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; massive, cryptocrystalline structure with no cleavage; specific gravity about 2.5–2.7.

Identified September 7, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Banded jasper (likely orbicular or brecciated jasper)
Scientific name: Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide pigments and possible chalcedony
Category: mineral
Identified: September 7, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 as a rough or hand specimen; $20–$150 when attractively polished or cut, depending on pattern and locality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or fill cavities in volcanic or sedimentary rocks, with iron oxides producing the red and yellow colors. The specimen’s exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as lapidary material for cabochons, carvings, beads, polished slices, and ornamental objects; occasionally used as a decorative stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of opaque, impure chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz. Red coloration commonly comes from hematite or other iron oxides, while yellow-brown tones may reflect limonite or goethite.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque appearance, vivid natural banding, quartz-like hardness, and lack of cleavage; it typically resists scratching by a steel knife. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and the western United States.