sedimentary

Polished striped jasper pebble

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque salmon, cream, and reddish-brown bands; vitreous to waxy luster when polished; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage and typical specific gravity near 2.6.

Identified August 12, 2026More sedimentary →

Explore Polished striped jasper pebble 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

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement fine sediment or replace volcanic/altered rock, with iron oxides producing the red bands. Its exact geological age cannot be determined visually; jasper occurs in rocks from many periods.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, tumbled stones, and decorative objects; generally inexpensive as a small polished specimen.

Geological facts

The visible banding is likely caused by alternating iron-rich and silica/clay-rich layers, making it a patterned variety rather than a single crystal mineral.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque color, fine grain, strong polish, and resistance to scratching; a steel file should not easily scratch it. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.