sedimentary
Jasper pebble with vein quartz cross-cutting fractures
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
Hardness 6.5-7 on Mohs scale, waxy to dull luster, earthy reddish-brown and tan colors, cryptocrystalline structure, no cleavage, high resistance to weathering.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6.5-7 on Mohs scale, waxy to dull luster, earthy reddish-brown and tan colors, cryptocrystalline structure, no cleavage, high resistance to weathering.
Formation & geological history
Formed via diagenetic silica precipitation in sedimentary or volcaniclastic environments, subsequently fractured by tectonic stress, veined by secondary mineral fluids, and water-worn into a smooth pebble.
Uses & applications
Lapidary work, tumbling, decorative stone collecting, and educational study of fracture-filling processes.
Geological facts
The distinct network of criss-crossing lines represents ancient micro-fractures in the rock that were sealed by silica-rich hydrothermal solutions before the pebble was eroded by stream or beach action.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its microcrystalline texture, distinct criss-crossing mineral veinlets, smooth water-worn surface, and scratch resistance to steel. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and gravel deposits worldwide.
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