sedimentary
Picture Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide and silicate minerals
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, brown, ivory, with dark brown dendritic lines; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Tan, brown, ivory, with dark brown dendritic lines
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, brown, ivory, with dark brown dendritic lines; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed by the flow of mineral-rich water through silicious mud or volcanic ash, depositing iron oxides and other minerals that create landscape-like patterns over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used for lapidary work, jewelry making (cabochons), ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's specimen due to its aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
The patterns in Picture Jasper are often so intricate that they resemble landscapes, desert scenes, or forests, earning it the nickname the 'Global Stone'. Notable varieties like Biggs Jasper come from Oregon, USA.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its opaque, sandy color and dark 'scenic' veining. It is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, particularly Oregon and Idaho.
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