mineral

Yellow Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Mustard yellow, tan, or gold with brown/grey inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (smooth when wet/polished); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Mustard yellow, tan, or gold with brown/grey inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (smooth when wet/polished)

Identified June 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation of fine volcanic ash or silica-rich sediments. Over millions of years, heat and pressure silica-replaces the organic materials, often in hydrothermal veins or as nodules in volcanic rocks.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for lapidary work, jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental decorative objects, and by collectors for its aesthetic patterns.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. The name comes from the Greek word 'iaspis', meaning 'spotted stone'. It was highly prized in the ancient world for its supposed protective qualities.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opacity (does not let light through even at thin edges) and its hardness (it will scratch glass). Commonly found in riverbeds, deserts, and volcanic regions worldwide.