sedimentary
Green Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron silicate inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep green to mossy green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Deep green to mossy green
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep green to mossy green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed from the deposition of silica in veins, cracks, or volcanic ash layers, often associated with hydrothermal activity. Green coloration is typically due to iron silicate (chlorite) or iron oxides.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts for cabochons, beads, jewelry, and as a decorative stone for ornamental carvings and collections.
Geological facts
In antiquity, Green Jasper was prized as a 'rain-bringer' and was considered a top-tier healing stone. It is a dense, opaque variety of chalcedony.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opaque green color, smooth or conchoidal fracture, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Commonly found on beaches and riverbeds in coastal regions like California, Oregon, and India.
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