sedimentary
Jasper
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, opaque luster, various colors including red, brown, green, and yellow with intricate webbed or patterned veins, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.58-2.91.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, opaque luster, various colors including red, brown, green, and yellow with intricate webbed or patterned veins, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.58-2.91.
Formation & geological history
Formed in sedimentary environments or hydrothermal veins through the silica-rich precipitation of fluids, often replacing organic material or filling cavities in volcanic rocks over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used frequently in lapidary arts, ornamental carvings, polished cabochons for jewelry, and as a collectible specimen.
Geological facts
Jasper has been utilized by ancient civilizations since the 4th millennium BC for making seals, drills, and amulets, and is mentioned in various historical texts for its protective and grounding energies.
Field identification & locations
Readily identifiable by its dense, opaque nature, vitreous to dull luster, and distinctive patterned or multicolored matrix; commonly found in riverbeds, alluvial deposits, and mountainous regions globally.
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