sedimentary
Jasper
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Brown, red, yellow, green, or multicolored; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brown, red, yellow, green, or multicolored
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Brown, red, yellow, green, or multicolored; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich solutions precipitating in sedimentary environments or hydrothermal veins, often replacing organic material or filling cavities in volcanic rocks. Geological age varies widely from Precambrian to Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Used in ornamental carvings, jewelry, lapidary arts, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used since ancient times for talismans, seals, and weaponry. The name means 'spotted or speckled stone' and comes from Greek via Old French.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, opaque nature, and inability to be scratched by steel. Commonly found in riverbeds, marine deposits, and volcanic regions worldwide.
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