metamorphic
Brecciated jasper
Iron-oxide-rich jasper (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂), cut by a quartz- or calcite-rich vein
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque, brick-red to brown with a pale, fractured vein; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and vitreous to dull luster. The pictured specimen’s rounded, polished surface obscures exact mineral identification and structure.
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Physical properties
Opaque, brick-red to brown with a pale, fractured vein; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and vitreous to dull luster. The pictured specimen’s rounded, polished surface obscures exact mineral identification and structure.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids fill or replace rock, with iron oxides producing red coloration; brecciation and later vein filling may occur during tectonic fracturing. The age and locality cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and ornamental objects; not generally an industrial or construction stone at this size.
Geological facts
Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, itself microcrystalline quartz; contrasting veins can make polished pieces especially decorative.
Field identification & locations
Look for opaque red-brown silica-rich material and a sharply contrasting vein; hardness testing or examination of a fresh surface can help distinguish quartz from softer calcite. Jasper occurs worldwide in silica-rich volcanic and sedimentary settings.
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