sedimentary
Jasper
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Red, brown, yellow; Luster: Dull to greasy (waxy when wet); Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Red, brown, yellow
- Luster
- Dull to greasy (waxy when wet)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Red, brown, yellow; Luster: Dull to greasy (waxy when wet); Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the deposition of silica-rich fluids in volcanic ash or sedimentary environments. Iron oxides produce the characteristic red and brown banding during metamorphic or chemical precipitation processes.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), interior decoration, and as a popular collector specimen due to its patterns.
Geological facts
The word Jasper comes from the Greek word 'iaspis', meaning spotted stone. It has been used for thousands of years in amulets and cylinder seals across ancient civilizations.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opacity, hardness (will scratch glass), and smooth fracture surface. Commonly found in river beds, beaches, and desert plains globally.
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