metamorphic
Polished banded stone, likely zebra jasper
Zebra jasper (banded microcrystalline quartz, chiefly SiO₂, with iron-oxide and carbonate impurities)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically hardness 6.5–7 Mohs, opaque gray-white with dark brown to black bands, vitreous to waxy luster, and no visible cleavage; the rounded shape is tumbled and polished.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Polished banded stone, likely zebra jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Typically hardness 6.5–7 Mohs, opaque gray-white with dark brown to black bands, vitreous to waxy luster, and no visible cleavage; the rounded shape is tumbled and polished.
Formation & geological history
Formed by silicification and replacement of carbonate-rich or sedimentary material, producing contrasting mineral bands; its precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Used for decorative objects, cabochons, beads, and jewelry; it has little industrial value.
Geological facts
“Jasper” is a general trade term for opaque, impure microcrystalline quartz rather than one single mineral species.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its strong opaque banding, quartz-like hardness, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; common commercial material comes from Madagascar, South Africa, India, and Brazil. The image alone cannot exclude banded chert or another decorative jasper variety.
More like this
