gemstone

Tumbled jasper, likely picture or brecciated jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide and other mineral impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown and mustard-yellow, with a waxy to dull luster and irregular mottling. Quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs; no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and typical specific gravity near 2.6.

Identified August 8, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic ash, sediments, or fractured rock, with iron oxides producing the red-brown colors. The specimen is human-tumbled and polished; its precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, paperweights, and decorative objects; it has modest jewelry and collector value.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, commonly grouped with quartz-rich rocks despite its opaque appearance. Color patterns reflect impurities and brecciation rather than large visible crystals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque body, earthy red/yellow patterning, glassy-to-waxy surface, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common sources include the western United States, Madagascar, Brazil, India, and Australia.