gemstone

Polished brecciated jasper

Brecciated jasper; microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide pigments and angular rock fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically opaque red-orange with dark web-like fracture lines, vitreous to waxy luster, and no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, specific gravity roughly 2.55–2.70. The pictured piece is a polished cabochon or tumbled stone labeled “BRECCM,” likely shorthand for brecciated jasper.

Identified August 30, 2026More gemstone →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished brecciated jasper
Scientific name: Brecciated jasper; microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide pigments and angular rock fragments
Category: gemstone
Identified: August 30, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $2–$15 for a small polished cabochon or tumbled piece; exceptional large, vividly patterned specimens may sell for $20–$75.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement angular fragments of previously broken volcanic or sedimentary rock, commonly with hematite or other iron oxides producing the red color. Formation ages vary widely, from Paleozoic to younger hydrothermal or volcanic settings.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, décor, and inexpensive collectible specimens; rarely used as a durable architectural stone. It has ornamental rather than significant intrinsic gemstone value.

Geological facts

Brecciated jasper is a rock rather than a single mineral, so patterns and colors vary substantially. Dark veins commonly represent iron-rich cement or manganese/oxide-filled fractures.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red groundmass, angular dark fragments or vein network, hardness sufficient to scratch glass, and lack of cleavage; distinguish it from dyed agate by its opaque, breccia-like texture. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Indonesia, and the western United States.