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 incorrect

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.

Identified August 17, 2026More metamorphic →

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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.