mineral
Jasper
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with impurities
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6.5-7. Color: reddish-brown with darker spots. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Microcrystalline quartz. Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.5-2.9.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- reddish-brown with darker spots
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More mineral →
Explore Jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7. Color: reddish-brown with darker spots. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Microcrystalline quartz. Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.5-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich fluids in sedimentary or volcanic environments, often involving the replacement of original materials. Coloration is typically due to iron oxide inclusions.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in jewelry, lapidary arts, and as an ornamental stone.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used since antiquity for carving and as a gemstone. The name means 'spotted or speckled stone'.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its opacity, hardness, and varied patterns. Found worldwide, often as nodules or in veins.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous