gemstone

Polished jasper (likely porcelain jasper or picture jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz, chiefly SiO₂, with iron-oxide and other mineral impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque cream, tan, and reddish-brown patterning; typically dull to waxy luster when polished; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage. The rounded shape indicates tumbling or cabochon polishing.

Identified August 18, 2026More gemstone →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished jasper (likely porcelain jasper or picture jasper)
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz, chiefly SiO₂, with iron-oxide and other mineral impurities
Category: gemstone
Identified: August 18, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $3–$20 for a small common polished stone; roughly $20–$75 if unusually attractive, well-polished, or confirmed from a desirable locality.

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 fluids replace or cement volcanic ash, breccia, or sediment, with iron oxides producing the brown-red markings. Precise geological age and locality cannot be established from the photograph; similar jasper occurs worldwide, including Oregon, Utah, Madagascar, India, and Australia.

Uses & applications

Used for ornamental carvings, cabochons, beads, jewelry, and polished collectibles; usually decorative rather than industrial.

Geological facts

The flowing cream-and-brown design is characteristic of picture/porcelain jasper varieties, but visual identification alone cannot reliably separate them from patterned chert or rhyolitic jasper.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque body, very fine grain, hardness, and resistance to scratching; it should not show glassy translucence or visible crystal grains. A steel file should not easily scratch it, while quartz will scratch it; locality information or thin-section testing is needed for a definitive name.