mineral

Tumbled amber-colored chalcedony or jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-stained chalcedony/jasper

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs 6.5–7; orange-brown, translucent to opaque, with a waxy to vitreous luster and no visible cleavage. The rounded surface indicates tumbling or natural abrasion; exact identification requires testing.

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids fill cavities or replace host rock, with iron oxides producing the orange-brown color; commonly Cenozoic to older, depending on deposit. It may also be a weathered jasper pebble.

Uses & applications

Used for lapidary work, cabochons, beads, carvings, and inexpensive decorative specimens; generally little industrial value in this small form.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is quartz made of extremely fine intergrowths of quartz varieties, while jasper is its opaque, impurity-rich form. The image alone cannot reliably distinguish chalcedony from jasper or amber.

Field identification & locations

Look for very high hardness, resistance to scratching by steel, a nonmetallic waxy/vitreous surface, and conchoidal fracture; it should not scratch glass if unusually soft or amber-like. Common in volcanic regions, river gravels, and silica-rich sedimentary formations.