mineral

Polished brown jasper

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-oxide-rich chalcedony

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 6.5–7, opaque, brown to honey-yellow with dark iron-rich veining, and a vitreous to waxy luster after polishing; quartz has a trigonal crystal structure but is cryptocrystalline here, with no visible cleavage. Specific gravity is about 2.6.

Identified August 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or replaces volcanic or sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the brown and yellow colors. Most jasper is Precambrian to Cenozoic in age, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, worry stones, beads, carvings, and small ornamental objects; it has modest jewelry and lapidary value.

Geological facts

Jasper is technically a rock rather than a single mineral because it commonly contains quartz, chalcedony, clay, and iron oxides. The specimen appears tumbled and polished, so surface gloss and rounded edges are human-produced.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its complete opacity, fine grain, hardness, earthy red-brown coloration, and inability to show crystal faces; it should resist scratching by a steel knife. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.