mineral

Polished jasper (likely brecciated or picture jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂, with iron-oxide pigments and dark mineral inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, glossy orange-brown with dark patches; quartz has Mohs hardness 6.5–7 and a trigonal crystal structure too fine-grained to see. No visible cleavage; the photo alone cannot confirm the exact jasper variety.

Identified October 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms as silica-rich material fills or replaces sedimentary or volcanic rock, with iron oxides producing its colors. Formation age and precise geological setting cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; polished jasper is also collected as a lapidary material.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, unlike transparent quartz crystals. Its patterns and colors vary widely with mineral impurities and host-rock fragments.

Field identification & locations

The polished, opaque surface and contrasting earthy patterns are consistent with jasper; confirm hardness and a quartz-like conchoidal fracture only on an inconspicuous area. Jasper occurs worldwide, including in the western United States, Australia, and India.