mineral

Polished banded jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, dark reddish-brown and cream mottling with a waxy-to-dull luster; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, with no visible cleavage and a dense, cryptocrystalline structure. The rounded surface indicates tumbling or water wear.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic ash, sediment, or other rock, with iron oxides producing the red-brown colors. Jasper deposits range from Precambrian to recent and commonly occur in volcanic and sedimentary terrains.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and polished display stones; it has little industrial value compared with ordinary quartz.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, and its patterns are produced by mineral impurities rather than large crystals. The specimen may also be marketed as brown or scenic jasper.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque appearance, fine texture, quartz-like hardness, and resistance to scratching by steel; a streak test is usually white to colorless. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.