mineral

Polished orbicular jasper (likely ocean jasper)

Silica-rich chalcedony/quartz aggregate, mainly SiO₂, with iron-oxide and other mineral inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; cream, tan, brown, and gray with dark branching or orbicular patterns; waxy to vitreous luster; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage. The smooth surface indicates tumbling or polishing.

Identified August 27, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished orbicular jasper (likely ocean jasper)
Scientific name: Silica-rich chalcedony/quartz aggregate, mainly SiO₂, with iron-oxide and other mineral inclusions
Category: mineral
Identified: August 27, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$25 for a small polished stone; $30–$150+ for especially attractive patterned cabochons or display specimens.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids filled cavities or replaced volcanic rock, with iron and manganese minerals producing the patterns; most ocean jasper is Oligocene–Miocene age and associated with rhyolitic volcanic rocks of Madagascar.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, polished stones, and lapidary collectibles; generally unsuitable for structural construction because it occurs as small nodules.

Geological facts

The branching markings may resemble dendrites but are mineral inclusions rather than fossils or plant material. “Ocean jasper” is a trade name applied especially to patterned orbicular jasper from Madagascar.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque cream-to-brown body, intricate natural patterns, quartz-like hardness, and absence of cleavage; it commonly occurs as rounded nodules in volcanic terrains, especially Madagascar, Mexico, and parts of the western United States.