sedimentary

Yellow Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide impurities

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mustard yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Mustard yellow to golden brown
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 24, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from water-saturated environments, often appearing in hydrothermal veins or as nodules in volcanic and sedimentary rock. Its yellow color comes from the inclusion of iron hydroxides like goethite.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in jewelry (cabochons and beads), decorative ornaments, stone carvings, and as a popular specimen for rock tumbling and lapidary art.

Geological facts

Jasper has been used as a gemstone since antiquity; it was known in Ancient Egypt and throughout the Roman Empire. The term 'Jasper' comes from the Greek word iaspis, meaning 'spotted stone.'

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opaque appearance (unlike translucent agate), high hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), and smooth, river-worn surface. Commonly found in riverbeds and coastal regions of the Western United States, South Africa, and Brazil.

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