sedimentary
Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellow, brown, red, green, or multicolored. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Microcrystalline quartz (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.58 to 2.91.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Yellow, brown, red, green, or multicolored
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellow, brown, red, green, or multicolored. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Microcrystalline quartz (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.58 to 2.91.
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich solutions in sedimentary environments or as a primary chemical precipitate in marine basins, often millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used for making jewelry, ornamental carvings, polished decorative items, and lapidary art.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used since ancient times for amulets, seals, and tools, and is frequently mentioned in ancient folklore and lapidary texts.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its opaque nature, smooth conchoidal fracture, and characteristic colorful patterns or banding. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and areas with ancient volcanic or hydrothermal activity.
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