sedimentary
Jasper
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Variegated red and yellow; Luster: Dull/Waxy; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Variegated red and yellow
- Luster
- Dull/Waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Variegated red and yellow; Luster: Dull/Waxy; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed from the deposition of silica-rich waters in hydrothermal veins or sedimentary environments, where iron oxides (hematite for red, goethite for yellow) saturate the quartz matrix over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative gemstones, in jewelry (cabochons), as an abrasive material, and as an ornamental stone in polished sculptures or architectural accents.
Geological facts
Jasper has been a favorite gemstone since antiquity; it was known in ancient Mesopotamian cultures as a powerful protection stone and is mentioned in various historical texts as a 'supreme nurturer'.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high hardness (it will scratch glass), opaque nature, and smooth, shell-like fracture pattern. Often found in riverbeds, desert regions, and mountain ranges across the globe, commonly in states like California, Oregon, and Arizona.
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