sedimentary
Brecciated Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Red, brown, and ivory patterns; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Red, brown, and ivory patterns
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Brecciated Jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Red, brown, and ivory patterns; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed when Jasper (a variety of chalcedony) is broken by tectonic movement and subsequently 'cemented' together by another mineral, usually clear or translucent chalcedony or quartz, over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts for cabochons, beads, and decorative carvings; also popular in metaphysical collections and as an ornamental architectural stone.
Geological facts
The name comes from 'breccia', a geological term for rock composed of broken fragments of minerals or rock cemented together. The red color in this specific specimen is caused by oxygenated iron (hematite).
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'shattered' appearance with red Jasper chunks separated by white or translucent quartz veins. Commonly found in large deposits in South Africa, Brazil, and the Southwestern USA.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Cone-in-cone structure (Limestone)
Cone-in-cone structure (Secondary Sedimentary Structure)
sedimentary
Chert Breccia
Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
sedimentary
Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
sedimentary
Shale or Slaty Mudstone
Argillaceous sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
sedimentary