sedimentary

Brecciated jasper (iron-rich jasper)

Cryptocrystalline silica, mainly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide minerals such as hematite and goethite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically opaque, rusty red, orange, brown, black, and gray; earthy to waxy or slightly glassy luster; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7; no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and angular fragments cemented in a silica/iron-oxide matrix. The specimen appears rough and naturally brecciated, possibly partly polished or weathered.

Identified September 13, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Brecciated jasper (iron-rich jasper)
Scientific name: Cryptocrystalline silica, mainly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide minerals such as hematite and goethite
Category: sedimentary
Identified: September 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $10–$50 for a common rough specimen; attractive large or lapidary-quality pieces may sell for $75–$200.

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 sediments or volcanic material are fractured and later cemented by quartz, chalcedony, and iron oxides. Its precise age cannot be determined from the photograph; deposits range from Precambrian to much younger hydrothermal or weathering environments.

Uses & applications

Used as ornamental stone, cabochons, beads, carvings, lapidary slabs, and collector specimens; rarely used as aggregate or facing stone.

Geological facts

The red and orange colors generally come from hematite and hydrated iron oxides, while dark areas may contain manganese or iron-rich matrix minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hard, opaque, multicolored angular pattern and resistance to scratching by steel; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common sources include Australia, India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the western United States.