mineral

Polished jasper (likely brecciated or red jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony), SiO₂, with iron-oxide pigments and possible breccia fragments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown, fine-grained, and weakly to moderately glossy where polished; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, no visible cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.5–2.7. Pale angular patches may be quartz/chalcedony or weathered matrix.

Identified September 20, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished jasper (likely brecciated or red jasper)
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony), SiO₂, with iron-oxide pigments and possible breccia fragments
Category: mineral
Identified: September 20, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$25 for a small polished piece; $30–$100+ for unusually patterned or high-quality lapidary material.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or replaces volcanic and sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the red-brown color; commonly Cenozoic to older, depending on the deposit. The specimen appears cut and polished from a natural nodule or slab.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary pieces; historically used for tools and decorative stone. It has modest value unless pattern, polish, or provenance is exceptional.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony rather than a single mineral species. Red coloration generally reflects hematite or limonite inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Check for uniform fine texture, opaque red coloration, glassy conchoidal edges, and hardness sufficient to scratch glass; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and the western United States.