metamorphic
Polished orange jasper
Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly iron-oxide-rich chert/jasper
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque orange-brown, yellow, and gray mottling with a waxy-to-dull luster; typically massive and non-cleavable. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; specific gravity approximately 2.5–2.7.
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Physical properties
Opaque orange-brown, yellow, and gray mottling with a waxy-to-dull luster; typically massive and non-cleavable. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; specific gravity approximately 2.5–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich groundwater replaces or cements sediments, often incorporating iron oxides that produce red, orange, and yellow colors; many deposits are Precambrian to younger. The rounded, glossy surface indicates tumbling or polishing.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and lapidary collections; too variable and small-scale for major construction use.
Geological facts
Its colors commonly come from hematite and goethite inclusions, while gray areas may contain quartz, clay, or altered volcanic material. Exact locality cannot be established reliably from appearance alone.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opacity, colorful irregular pattern, very high hardness, and lack of visible cleavage; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common sources include Madagascar, Brazil, India, Australia, and the western United States.
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