mineral

Jasper (likely red/brown jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂, colored mainly by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown, earthy to waxy luster, fine-grained and noncrystalline to microscopic quartz fibers; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, no visible cleavage, conchoidal to uneven fracture, specific gravity ~2.6. The rounded surface appears naturally weathered or lightly polished.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediment and volcanic material, with iron producing the brown-red color. It is commonly Cenozoic to older, and such material is plausible around the Budapest–Gödöllő region, where sedimentary and volcanic-derived gravels occur.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, tumbling, and decorative stone; also collected as a durable lapidary material. Common pieces generally have modest value.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony rather than a single mineral species. Its color patterns and iron staining are highly variable, and it can resemble iron-rich chert.

Field identification & locations

Test only inconspicuously: it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel knife, and it will not fizz with dilute hydrochloric acid. Likely sources include gravels and silica-rich zones in Hungary; exact identification would benefit from a fresh edge or thin section.