mineral

Tumbled jasper pebble

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), commonly colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown with cream-colored patches and a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture when broken.

Identified September 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brown with cream-colored patches and a polished, waxy-to-vitreous luster. Microcrystalline quartz; no visible cleavage, with conchoidal fracture when broken.

Formation & geological history

Forms as silica-rich fluids fill cavities or replace sediment, with iron-bearing impurities producing its colors. Its age and precise geological setting cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, small carvings, and decorative or collectible polished stones.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque form of chalcedony; mottled patterns vary widely and are not diagnostic of a specific locality.

Field identification & locations

The smooth, opaque surface and quartz-like hardness are consistent with tumbled jasper, but a photograph cannot confirm the identification. Jasper occurs worldwide in volcanic rocks and sedimentary deposits; look for a scratch resistance near quartz hardness and avoid identifying by color alone.