metamorphic
Polished green jasper cabochon (likely serpentine or nephrite imitation)
Jasper: microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂); green coloration may reflect chlorite, epidote, or iron minerals
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque to slightly translucent, olive-green and brown mottling, waxy to vitreous polish, no visible crystals or cleavage; hardness approximately 6.5–7 if jasper, potentially 5–6 if serpentine. The smooth oval cabochon is human-cut and polished.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Polished green jasper cabochon (likely serpentine or nephrite imitation) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Opaque to slightly translucent, olive-green and brown mottling, waxy to vitreous polish, no visible crystals or cleavage; hardness approximately 6.5–7 if jasper, potentially 5–6 if serpentine. The smooth oval cabochon is human-cut and polished.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic or sedimentary material; green varieties commonly form through alteration involving chlorite or epidote. Exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, and ornamental objects; valued mainly for attractive pattern and polish rather than rarity.
Geological facts
The specimen may be marketed as green jasper, kambaba jasper, serpentine, or nephrite depending on its actual mineralogy; visual identification alone is unreliable.
Field identification & locations
Check streak, hardness, translucency, specific gravity, and magnification; quartz-rich jasper will resist a steel scratch, whereas serpentine generally will not. Common sources include India, South Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and the western United States.
More like this
