metamorphic
Polished tiger’s-eye jasper (likely brecciated jasper)
Quartz-rich microcrystalline silica; mainly chalcedony/quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide pigments
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; mustard yellow, orange-brown, and cream coloration with opaque, swirling or brecciated patterns. Waxy to glassy luster, no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and typical specific gravity near 2.6.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; mustard yellow, orange-brown, and cream coloration with opaque, swirling or brecciated patterns. Waxy to glassy luster, no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and typical specific gravity near 2.6.
Formation & geological history
Silica-rich groundwater filled fractures and cavities, later colored by iron oxides and silicified; the exact geological age depends on its source deposit. The polished/tumbled surface is human processed.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and decorative polished stones; rarely for construction because it is primarily a lapidary material.
Geological facts
Its appearance resembles tiger’s-eye, but the specimen lacks the sharply defined chatoyant fiber bands characteristic of classic tiger’s-eye. “Jasper” is a broad lapidary term for opaque, impure microcrystalline quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opacity, fine-grained silica texture, hardness, and resistance to scratching by steel; a strong glassy sheen and conchoidal chips support quartz composition. Common jasper sources include Oregon, Idaho, India, Madagascar, and Australia.
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