metamorphic

Brecciated jasper with quartz veins

Silica-rich breccia; predominantly microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony (SiO₂) with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; reddish brown, orange, gray, and cream angular fragments cemented by pale quartz/chalcedony. Waxy to dull luster, no obvious cleavage, massive microcrystalline structure; iron oxides produce the red coloration.

Identified September 17, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich rock fractured and the openings were later filled and cemented by quartz-bearing fluids, commonly during hydrothermal activity. The specimen’s exact geological age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative stone, lapidary material, cabochons, carvings, and polished slabs; attractive pieces have moderate collector value, while ordinary material is inexpensive.

Geological facts

The angular clasts and contrasting quartz vein are characteristic of brecciation rather than normal layered sedimentary texture. It may also be marketed commercially as brecciated jasper, quartz breccia, or iron jasper.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by testing for quartz-level hardness, observing angular fragments, and checking for a white quartz/chalcedony cement; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Similar material occurs in hydrothermal vein districts worldwide, including the western United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia.