sedimentary

Jasper (Polished Egg)

Silicon Dioxide (Microcrystalline Quartz) with impurities - SiO2

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Swirling bands of grey, charcoal, tan, cream, and ochre/orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: ~2.58 - 2.64

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished

Identified October 3, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the precipitation of silica-rich fluids within volcanic or sedimentary environments, incorporating mineral impurities such as iron oxides and clay minerals which produce the distinct banded, cloudy, and patterned coloration.

Uses & applications

Popular for lapidary arts, decorative carvings, polished eggs and spheres, ornamental stones, and collector specimens.

Geological facts

Jasper has been carved by humans for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egyptian and Minoan seals and amulets. The egg shape symbolizes rebirth and fertility in many lapidary traditions.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high polish, opacity, microcrystalline waxy-to-glassy luster, swirl/banded patterns, and resistance to scratching by steel. Common worldwide, with famous deposits in Madagascar, Brazil, India, and the United States.