sedimentary
Brecciated Jasper
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, multicolored with dominant shades of brown, red, white, and cream, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, multicolored with dominant shades of brown, red, white, and cream, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when broken fragments of existing rocks (often jasper or other silica-rich rocks) are cemented together by a secondary mineral matrix, typically silica or calcite, through hydrothermal activity or sedimentary processes.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, making cabochons, beads, decorative carvings, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Breccia rocks are structurally unique because they tell a violent geological story of fracturing and subsequent healing by mineral-rich fluids over millions of years.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive angular fragments (clasts) cemented together in a contrasting matrix. Found globally in regions with extensive volcanic or tectonic faulting activity.
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