sedimentary

Polished orbicular jasper (likely ocean jasper)

Jasper: microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron oxides and other silicate inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque, cream-to-golden brown with dark brown/black branching or orbicular patterns; vitreous to waxy luster after polishing; no visible cleavage; specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.9.

Identified September 6, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished orbicular jasper (likely ocean jasper)
Scientific name: Jasper: microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron oxides and other silicate inclusions
Category: sedimentary
Identified: September 6, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $10–$40 for a common polished sphere of this size; distinctive, verified ocean jasper may sell for $50–$150 or more.

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 replaced or cemented volcanic ash and rock, with iron and manganese producing the dark patterns; most jasper is Precambrian to Phanerozoic, while classic ocean jasper formed in volcanic environments of Madagascar.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, carvings, spheres, ornaments, and lapidary objects; not generally used as a structural construction stone.

Geological facts

The pictured polished sphere strongly resembles orbicular jasper, though exact identification requires a close view of the pattern and an unpolished surface; “ocean jasper” is a trade name rather than a formal mineral species.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque body, multicolored iron-rich patterning, glassy polish, and lack of obvious individual crystals; common sources include Madagascar, Brazil, India, Mexico, and the United States.