mineral
Jasper (likely brecciated jasper)
Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂, colored by iron oxides
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque reddish-brown, white-veined, and waxy to dull with a fine-grained texture; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal to uneven fracture. The angular color patches suggest brecciation and silica cementation.
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Physical properties
Opaque reddish-brown, white-veined, and waxy to dull with a fine-grained texture; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal to uneven fracture. The angular color patches suggest brecciation and silica cementation.
Formation & geological history
A sedimentary or volcanic-hosted silica-rich rock formed when fragments were fractured, then cemented by chalcedony or quartz-bearing fluids; iron oxides produced the red-brown color. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Used as ornamental stone, cabochons, carvings, beads, tumbling material, and decorative slabs; occasionally used for small architectural accents.
Geological facts
Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony rather than a single mineral species. Brecciated varieties are prized for contrasting angular fragments and vein patterns.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opacity, strong red-brown iron staining, very fine quartz texture, and resistance to scratching; it should not be confused with brick or resin. Common worldwide, including India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.
