mineral

Red-brown jasper pebble

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), colored mainly by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 6.5–7; opaque reddish-brown, gray, and cream mottling; dull to waxy luster; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and typical specific gravity around 2.6.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediment, incorporating iron-bearing impurities; specimens may range from ancient sedimentary settings to younger river-worn pebbles. Its rounded shape and smooth surface indicate water transport or deliberate tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornamental objects, and decorative stone; occasionally used as a minor aggregate or facing material.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety rather than one precisely defined mineral species, and its colors reflect impurities such as hematite, goethite, and clay minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opacity, fine texture, hardness, and inability to scratch with a steel knife easily; a streak test is usually pale or colorless rather than vivid red. Common varieties occur in river gravels and silica-rich volcanic or sedimentary terrains worldwide.