mineral

Polished ocean jasper / brecciated jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron-oxide and other silicate inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, fine-grained, green-gray material with red, cream, yellow, and white mineral bands and veins; typically Mohs 6.5–7, vitreous to dull luster, no visible cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. The slab appears sawn and lightly polished.

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement volcanic ash, breccia, or altered rock, with iron oxides producing red-orange zones. Such jasper is generally Cenozoic to older, depending on locality; the exact age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, carvings, ornamental slabs, and lapidary collectibles; occasionally used as decorative stone. Value is mainly aesthetic rather than industrial.

Geological facts

The contrasting colors commonly reflect hematite/goethite, chlorite, epidote, and other inclusions. “Ocean jasper” is a trade name, not a precise mineral species, and should be used cautiously without locality information.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque microcrystalline texture, hardness, colorful brecciated or orbicular pattern, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; it should scratch glass. Similar material occurs in Madagascar, Oregon, Australia, Mexico, and elsewhere.