sedimentary

Jasper with Quartz Veining

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with impurities

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Reddish-brown with white quartz veins; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline/Cryptocrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58–2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Reddish-brown with white quartz veins
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 24, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via the deposition of silica from water-saturated environments or volcanic ash. The white veins are secondary quartz deposits that filled fractures within the original Jasper over millions of years of tectonic activity.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), talismans, and as decorative stone in landscaping or fish tanks. Highly valued by collectors for unique patterns.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The name 'Jasper' is derived from the Greek word 'iaspis', meaning spotted stone. It has been used in antiquity for seals and ornamentation as far back as Minoan Crete.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opacity (it does not transmit light even on thin edges), its hardness (will scratch glass), and its distinctive white vein patterns. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial till, and coastal areas across North America and India.

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