sedimentary

Brecciated jasper

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, mottled brick-red and dark gray-brown, with a dull to slightly waxy luster and no visible crystals. Quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs; jasper has no cleavage and a conchoidal fracture. The angular-looking color patches suggest brecciation, though the image alone cannot confirm it.

Identified October 16, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich material was deposited or filled fractures and later cemented; iron oxides produced the red color. Jasper forms in varied settings and may be hundreds of millions of years old; this specimen’s age and locality are unknown.

Uses & applications

Commonly cut and polished for cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; not generally used as a major construction material.

Geological facts

Jasper is valued for its opaque colors and patterns; “brecciated” describes a rock texture made of broken fragments cemented together.

Field identification & locations

Look for opacity, fine grain, and red iron-oxide color; a scratch test is best avoided on a polished specimen. Jasper occurs worldwide, including India, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.