gemstone

Polished jasper pebble, likely brecciated or picture jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony), SiO₂, with iron-oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque cream, brown, and reddish-brown coloration with glossy polish and irregular internal veining. Cryptocrystalline quartz has no visible crystal faces or cleavage; specific gravity is approximately 2.6.

Identified August 30, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich groundwater replaced or cemented volcanic or sedimentary material, while iron oxides produced the brown-red patterns; formation is generally younger than the host rock and may span Paleozoic to Cenozoic environments. The pictured piece is tumbled and polished.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, lapidary ornaments, and inexpensive decorative stone; it has little industrial use beyond aggregate and silica-bearing material.

Geological facts

The contrasting patterns can resemble landscapes or breccia fragments, making jasper popular with collectors. “Picture jasper” is a trade name rather than a single formally defined mineral species.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque appearance, waxy-to-glassy polish, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it should resist scratching from a steel knife. Common sources include the western United States, Mexico, Madagascar, Brazil, and Australia.