mineral

Polished brecciated jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide and silica-rich breccia components

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque, multicolored reddish-brown, cream, gray, and blue-green patches; vitreous to waxy luster when polished. Quartz is cryptocrystalline, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture.

Identified August 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater cements and replaces fragmented volcanic or sedimentary material, commonly with iron-oxide staining. Most jasper deposits are Phanerozoic, though some host rocks are much older.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary specimens; attractive brecciation increases decorative and collector appeal.

Geological facts

The angular color patches and veins are characteristic of brecciation, while reddish tones commonly reflect hematite or related iron oxides.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque patterned body, polished waxy surface, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it commonly occurs in volcanic terrains and silica-rich veins worldwide, including Oregon, Idaho, Madagascar, India, and Australia.