mineral

Polished jasper or iron-stained chalcedony

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely jasper with goethite/limonite staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque cream to orange-brown material with a glossy polished surface and irregular iron-oxide patches; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, vitreous to waxy luster, cryptocrystalline structure, and no visible cleavage. The orange-brown areas likely consist of limonite/goethite inclusions or replacement.

Identified August 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills or replaces fractures and cavities, while iron-bearing fluids create orange, yellow, and brown staining; age varies widely by deposit. Commonly occurs in volcanic and sedimentary terrains.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, carvings, tumbled stones, lapidary display, and ornamental objects; generally unsuitable for structural construction. Value is mainly decorative and depends on pattern, polish, size, and rarity.

Geological facts

The specimen appears human-polished, and its pointed shape may be carved rather than naturally formed. Acid will not normally fizz, while a steel file should have difficulty scratching the quartz-rich portions.

Field identification & locations

Likely identification requires a specific-gravity test, streak test, and examination of a fresh surface; jasper leaves a white streak, whereas iron oxides may streak yellow-brown. Comparable material is found worldwide, including Brazil, Madagascar, India, and the western United States.