mineral

Jasper (brecciated or orbicular jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony (SiO₂), colored by iron oxides and other impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically opaque, reddish-brown, gray, and cream with brecciated patches; waxy to dull luster and no visible cleavage. Mohs hardness 6.5–7; fine-grained cryptocrystalline quartz, with variable specific gravity around 2.6.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills fractures or replaces volcanic and sedimentary material, while iron oxides create red-brown coloration. Deposits range from ancient Precambrian to relatively young volcanic settings.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary stone for cabochons, carvings, beads, and polished specimens; rarely used as a minor decorative aggregate.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony rather than a single mineral species. Brecciated varieties preserve angular fragments cemented by later silica, producing the mottled appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque color patterns, glassy/waxy fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; quartz-rich jasper should scratch glass. Common in volcanic terrains and silica-rich veins worldwide.