metamorphic

Polished orbicular jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with iron oxides and altered volcanic inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque olive-brown, cream, and dark patterned stone with a glossy polish; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, cryptocrystalline quartz, no visible cleavage, specific gravity roughly 2.6. The mottled/orbicular pattern reflects mineral-rich inclusions or replacement textures.

Identified September 15, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic and sedimentary material; orbicular varieties develop concentric or radiating mineral patterns. Geological ages vary, commonly Precambrian to Phanerozoic depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, worry stones, carvings, beads, and decorative objects; rarely used as aggregate because attractive specimens are collectible.

Geological facts

The photographed piece is shaped and highly polished, so surface appearance is enhanced and field identification is limited. Similar material may be sold as ocean jasper, leopard jasper, or rainforest jasper, though trade names are not always scientifically precise.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include Madagascar, Australia, India, Mexico, Brazil, and the western United States. Identify by its opaque silica-rich body, waxy-to-glassy polish, hardness, and inability to scratch easily with a steel blade; acid produces no reaction.