sedimentary
Jasper and Quartz Breccia
Silicified breccia (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; displays a mottled mixture of red, white, and yellowish-brown colors; vitreous to dull luster; microcrystalline structure with angular fragments cemented together; specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; displays a mottled mixture of red, white, and yellowish-brown colors; vitreous to dull luster; microcrystalline structure with angular fragments cemented together; specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fracturing of pre-existing rock due to tectonic or hydrothermal processes, followed by the circulation of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids that cement the broken angular fragments together with quartz and jasper.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, decorative ornamental objects, cabochons in jewelry, and as collector specimens.
Geological facts
Breccias are fascinating because they capture a violent geological event in stone, preserving the shattered history of the Earth's crust as it was healed by mineral-rich waters.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its distinct jigsaw-like mosaic of angular rock fragments cemented in a contrasting matrix, often showing high hardness that scratches glass.
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