gemstone

Tumbled brown jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly called jasper when opaque and colored by impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque ochre-brown with mottling and a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Trigonal quartz crystals are microscopic; no visible cleavage and uneven fracture. The image alone cannot confirm the exact variety.

Identified October 16, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich fluids or sediments formed and cemented the quartz, with iron oxides producing the brown color; jasper deposits occur in rocks of many ages. The specimen has been shaped and polished by tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and decorative objects; also popular with mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, itself a microcrystalline form of quartz; color and patterns vary with mineral impurities.

Field identification & locations

Look for opacity, mottled color, and hardness sufficient to resist scratching by a steel knife; these traits are suggestive, not definitive. Jasper occurs worldwide, including India, Australia, Brazil, and the western United States.