sedimentary

Jasper (likely brecciated or chalcedony-rich jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂, with iron-oxide impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque reddish-brown, honey, and tan colors; waxy to dull luster; massive, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal to irregular fracture. The angular internal patches and iron staining suggest brecciated jasper or strongly silicified chert.

Identified September 6, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Jasper (likely brecciated or chalcedony-rich jasper)
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂, with iron-oxide impurities
Category: sedimentary
Identified: September 6, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$30 for a hand-sized common specimen; $30–$100+ if unusually patterned, polished, or from a sought-after locality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement sediments, volcanic material, or fractured rock; iron oxides create the red-brown coloration. Usually Cenozoic to Precambrian in age, depending on the deposit.

Uses & applications

Used for carvings, cabochons, beads, lapidary objects, and decorative stone; occasionally used as an ornamental building material.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony and microcrystalline quartz. Brecciated varieties preserve healed fragments of an earlier fractured rock.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque appearance, glassy/waxy fracture, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch glass; it should not fizz in dilute hydrochloric acid. Common worldwide, including the United States, Mexico, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and India.