mineral
Polished jasper pebble
Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), colored by iron oxides
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque orange, reddish-brown and yellow mottling with a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture when broken.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque orange, reddish-brown and yellow mottling with a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture when broken.
Formation & geological history
Silica-rich fluids or sediments became silicified, with iron impurities producing the warm colors; jasper forms in many settings and spans a wide range of geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used for lapidary pieces, beads, cabochons, ornaments and small carvings; this pebble is primarily decorative or collectible.
Geological facts
Jasper’s patterns and colors vary greatly, and the name covers many opaque, iron-stained varieties of chalcedony.
Field identification & locations
The smooth polish and opaque, mottled color are typical of jasper, but visual identification alone cannot confirm the exact variety. Jasper occurs worldwide, including India, Brazil, Australia and the western United States.
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