sedimentary

Jasper with Quartz Veins

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - Microcrystalline Quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, purple, and white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9

Hardness: 6
Color: Reddish-brown, purple, and white
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 25, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, purple, and white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9

Formation & geological history

Formed from the deposition of silica-rich fluids within cracks of sedimentary or volcanic rocks. The 'brecciated' or veined appearance occurs as the host rock fractures and is later healed by secondary quartz precipitation.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons and beads), decorative ornaments, and as a popular specimen for rock collectors.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The streaks and veins indicate different generations of mineral growth, often telling a complex history of hydrothermal activity in the Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its distinct waxy luster on fracture surfaces. Often found in riverbeds or coastal gravels where harder minerals concentrate.