Rock Identifier
Brecciated jasper (likely ocean jasper or red jasper breccia) (Silica-rich microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony (SiO₂) with hematite/goethite and iron-oxide matrix) — sedimentary
sedimentary

Brecciated jasper (likely ocean jasper or red jasper breccia)

Silica-rich microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony (SiO₂) with hematite/goethite and iron-oxide matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque cream to pink stone with dark red angular patches, waxy to dull luster, and no visible cleavage. The pattern indicates brecciation and later silica cementation; specific gravity is typically 2.5–2.7.

Identified More sedimentary
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Physical properties

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque cream to pink stone with dark red angular patches, waxy to dull luster, and no visible cleavage. The pattern indicates brecciation and later silica cementation; specific gravity is typically 2.5–2.7.

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids cemented fractured volcanic or sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the red coloration. Comparable jasper varieties commonly formed in volcanic environments during the Precambrian to Mesozoic, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, polished stones, and ornamental objects; occasionally used as decorative aggregate. Value is primarily aesthetic and depends on color, pattern, polish, and provenance.

Geological facts

The angular red fragments distinguish brecciated jasper from uniformly colored jasper. Exact identification and locality cannot be confirmed from a photograph alone.

Field identification & locations

Field identification relies on its opaque appearance, quartz-like hardness, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; it should resist dilute acid. Common sources include Madagascar, India, Brazil, Mexico, and the western United States.