mineral

Tumbled hematite-rich jasper

Jasper (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂) with iron oxides, chiefly hematite (Fe₂O₃)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown, locally metallic gray-black, with vitreous to waxy luster and a smooth polished surface; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, while iron-rich areas may be softer. It has no visible cleavage, a cryptocrystalline structure, and typically high density (about 2.6–3.0).

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace volcanic and sedimentary material, with iron oxidation producing the red-brown coloration; deposits range from Precambrian to much younger. The rounded shape indicates human tumbling and polishing.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental stone, cabochon, bead, carving material, and inexpensive collector specimen; jasper is also used decoratively in tiles and slabs.

Geological facts

The specimen’s dark metallic patches may be hematite or magnetite, but appearance alone cannot confirm either mineral. A red-brown streak on unglazed porcelain supports hematite-rich material.

Field identification & locations

Common in volcanic and iron-rich sedimentary terrains worldwide, including India, Brazil, Australia, Madagascar, and the United States. Test streak, hardness, density, and magnetism; a strong magnetic response suggests magnetite.