mineral
Tumbled brown jasper pebble
Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly with iron-oxide impurities
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque brown, earthy surface with thin pale quartz or chalcedony veins; dull to slightly waxy luster, cryptocrystalline structure, no visible cleavage, and hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs. The black object beneath appears to be a separate ring or holder, not part of the specimen.
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Physical properties
Opaque brown, earthy surface with thin pale quartz or chalcedony veins; dull to slightly waxy luster, cryptocrystalline structure, no visible cleavage, and hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs. The black object beneath appears to be a separate ring or holder, not part of the specimen.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement fine sediment, often with iron staining; its age varies widely by deposit, from Precambrian to younger volcanic or sedimentary settings.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and inexpensive lapidary specimens; occasionally used decoratively in stonework.
Geological facts
The term “jasper” describes an opaque, fine-grained quartz-rich rock rather than one single mineral species. Pale vein networks may consist of quartz, chalcedony, or healed fractures.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opaque brown color, fine grain, silica-like hardness, and inability to scratch with a steel knife easily; common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.
