mineral

Orbicular jasper (ocean jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), chiefly chalcedony with feldspar, zeolites, and iron-oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Orbicular jasper (ocean jasper)
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), chiefly chalcedony with feldspar, zeolites, and iron-oxide inclusions
Category: mineral
Identified: August 10, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $10–$40 for a small polished cabochon or palm stone; $50–$200+ for unusually vivid patterning, larger pieces, or documented Madagascar provenance.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Polished, opaque stone with cream-white orbicular patterns in olive-brown to gray matrix; vitreous to waxy luster, cryptocrystalline structure, no visible cleavage, Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, specific gravity ~2.6. The rounded patterning is characteristic of orbicular jasper, though exact identification from an image is provisional.

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich volcanic rock was altered and replaced by chalcedony and other minerals, producing orbicules; commonly associated with Miocene volcanic formations, especially Madagascar. Geological age and locality cannot be confirmed from the photograph alone.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, tumbled stones, and decorative objects; not generally used as a structural construction stone.

Geological facts

Ocean jasper is a trade name applied mainly to orbicular jasper from Madagascar; many visually similar orbicular jaspers are sold under the same label.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque silica-rich body, polished glassy surface, hardness, and concentric or radiating orbicules; a steel file should not easily scratch it. Common sources include Madagascar, Mexico, Australia, and the United States.