sedimentary

Green Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron silicate inclusions

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale to dark green with brownish-yellow mottling; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9

Hardness: 6
Color: Pale to dark green with brownish-yellow mottling
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 9, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed at low temperatures through the deposition of silica from water solutions into fissures or cavities in other rocks. Green coloration typically results from iron silicates or chlorite inclusions.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a lapidary material for jewelry, carvings, and tumbled stones. Also used in ornamental architecture and as a decorative garden stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. In ancient times, green jasper was often referred to as 'rain bringer' and was considered a powerful protective amulet in many cultures.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass but won't be scratched by a steel knife) and its smooth, waxy fracture surface. It is commonly found in river beds, beaches, and volcanic regions globally, particularly in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, India, and Brazil.

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