metamorphic

Polished brecciated jasper (likely Picasso jasper)

Brecciated microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony; mainly SiO₂ with iron- and manganese-rich matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; dark gray-brown to reddish brown with pale gray web-like veins, opaque, waxy to vitreous luster, and no visible cleavage. The rounded, polished surface is consistent with a tumbled stone.

Identified September 7, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich material or volcanic sediments are fractured and cemented by later silica, often with iron/manganese staining; ages vary widely by deposit. Similar material is commonly marketed as Picasso jasper, though exact identification requires testing.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, decorative stones, and lapidary specimens; not generally used as structural stone in this form.

Geological facts

Jasper is a dense variety of microcrystalline quartz and can show striking brecciation, veining, or orbicular patterns. “Picasso jasper” is primarily a trade name rather than a precise mineral species.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque appearance, very fine grain, hardness, and contrasting healed fractures; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common jasper sources include India, Madagascar, Indonesia, Mexico, and the western United States.