mineral

Polished brecciated jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide inclusions and fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, mottled red-orange, brown, gray, and black with a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs; crystals are microscopic, with no visible cleavage. Exact identification and specific gravity require testing.

Identified October 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms as silica-rich material fills cavities or replaces sediment, with iron oxides producing its colors; brecciated patterns form when broken fragments are recemented. Its age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for lapidary carvings, beads, cabochons, and decorative objects; this piece appears shaped and polished for display or collecting.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, itself a microcrystalline form of quartz; the name “brecciated” describes its angular, fragment-like pattern.

Field identification & locations

Look for opaque color, dense texture, and hardness sufficient to scratch glass; the polished surface obscures diagnostic texture. Jasper occurs worldwide, including in the western United States, India, and Australia.