mineral

Polished orbicular jasper

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque, reddish-orange, cream, brown, and gray; waxy to vitreous luster when polished; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The rounded form is human-shaped/polished.

Identified September 21, 2026More mineral →

Explore Polished orbicular jasper in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids silicify volcanic ash, sediments, or breccia, with iron oxides producing red-brown colors; it is commonly Precambrian to younger. Exact locality and geological age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, carvings, spheres, ornaments, and lapidary collections; rarely used as aggregate or decorative stone. Its value is mainly aesthetic and depends on pattern, polish, size, and locality.

Geological facts

The mottled patterns may be called orbicular, brecciated, or scenic jasper, though visual identification alone cannot confirm a precise trade name. It is commonly confused with rhyolite, agate, or dyed stone.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque silica-rich body, hardness, lack of cleavage, and iron-stained pattern; a steel file should generally scratch it only with difficulty. Common sources include Madagascar, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and the western United States.