sedimentary
Jasper
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown color, waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.58-2.91.
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown color, waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.58-2.91.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica-rich fluids or sediments in marine environments or hydrothermal settings, often associated with iron-rich deposits over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used for making jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary art, and occasionally in industry as a grinding agent or historical flint-like tools.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used since antiquity for seals, signet rings, and talismans by ancient civilizations including the Minoans, Egyptians, and Romans. Red jasper gets its distinct color from iron oxide inclusions.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its opaque nature, conchoidal fracture, smooth tumbled appearance, and resistance to scratching by a steel knife. Commonly found in riverbeds, coastal areas, and mountainous regions worldwide.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
sedimentary
Fossiliferous Concretion
Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids
fossil
Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment
Lithic fragment / Weathered rock
sedimentary
Sedimentary Sandstone
Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)
sedimentary
Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble
Siltstone / Argillite
sedimentary