metamorphic

Tumbled orange jasper/quartzite pebble

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-oxide colored

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; orange-red, opaque, fine-grained, with a matte-to-waxy polish and pale quartz-like veining. No visible cleavage; conchoidal fracture is typical, and specific gravity is roughly 2.6–2.7.

Identified September 17, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Tumbled orange jasper/quartzite pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Most likely silica-rich chert or quartzite altered and stained by iron oxides, then naturally rounded or tumbled by abrasion. Its precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as a lapidary material for cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative stone; occasionally used as aggregate. Common tumbled pieces generally have modest collector value.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, and its colors commonly result from hematite or limonite. The pale line may be a quartz vein or a healed fracture.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in gravel bars, deserts, and weathered silica-rich volcanic or sedimentary terrains; notable sources include Oregon, California, India, Madagascar, and Brazil. A streak test, hardness test, and close inspection for quartz texture would help confirm it.