gemstone

Polished brown jasper

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), commonly with iron-oxide impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque brown, reddish-brown, and golden-yellow coloration with earthy patterned bands; vitreous to waxy luster, cryptocrystalline quartz structure, and no visible cleavage. The glossy surface indicates polishing or a natural water-worn finish.

Identified September 15, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace volcanic ash, sediments, or other rocks, with iron oxides producing the brown-red colors; deposits are commonly Precambrian to Cenozoic in age. Exact locality and variety cannot be determined from the image alone.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and polished display pieces; rarely used as a minor decorative stone in architecture. Common material typically has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Jasper is technically a rock rather than a single mineral, and its patterns arise from impurities, brecciation, and fluid movement. It is often grouped with chalcedony and agate, though jasper is generally opaque.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opacity, fine grain, hardness, earthy iron staining, and lack of cleavage; it should resist scratching from a steel knife but not quartz. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and the western United States.