mineral

Polished brecciated jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, polished pebble with cream, orange, and reddish-brown angular bands or fragments. Quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs; vitreous to waxy luster; trigonal crystal structure, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture. Exact identification is uncertain from the photo.

Identified October 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids fill or replace rock, often with iron oxides imparting color; brecciation produces the broken-fragment pattern. It may form in many geological periods and settings.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, ornaments, and lapidary collecting; not generally an industrial material.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, itself microcrystalline quartz. Its colors and patterns vary widely with impurities and the source rock.

Field identification & locations

Look for opaque, fine-grained material with a smooth polish, colorful iron-rich patterning, and no obvious large crystals. Jasper occurs worldwide, including India, Brazil, Madagascar, and the western United States.