mineral
Tumbled amber-colored chalcedony or jasper
Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-stained chalcedony/jasper
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically 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 More mineral →
Explore Tumbled amber-colored chalcedony or jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
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.
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.
