mineral

Tumbled orange-brown chalcedony or jasper

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; likely iron-stained chalcedony/jasper

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; translucent to opaque orange-brown, with dull to waxy luster and no visible cleavage. The rounded shape indicates natural abrasion or tumbling; white patches may be quartz or weathering residue.

Identified September 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich groundwater filled cavities or fractures, forming microcrystalline quartz; iron oxides produced the warm brown-orange color. Exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Commonly sold as a lapidary stone for polished cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative pieces; also used as an inexpensive collector specimen.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is quartz composed of microscopic intergrowths, while jasper is its more opaque, impurity-rich variety. Color alone cannot reliably distinguish it from carnelian or iron-stained quartzite.

Field identification & locations

Test carefully with a steel file: genuine quartz-family material resists scratching; inspect for a waxy surface, conchoidal fracture, and absence of cleavage. Common worldwide, especially in volcanic cavities and sedimentary silica deposits.