mineral

Tumbled purple jasper (likely)

Microcrystalline quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂, colored by iron and other trace minerals

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque purple to magenta with black-gray veining and waxy-to-dull luster; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, no cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and specific gravity around 2.6.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Opaque purple to magenta with black-gray veining and waxy-to-dull luster; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, no cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and specific gravity around 2.6.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or fill cavities and fractures in volcanic rocks, with impurities producing the purple coloration; typically Cenozoic to older, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Commonly tumbled for inexpensive jewelry, cabochons, ornaments, and lapidary collections; not generally used as a major construction stone.

Geological facts

The image shows a polished/tumbled specimen, and the vivid color may reflect natural mineral pigments or occasional commercial dyeing. “Purple jasper” is a trade name rather than a single precisely defined mineral species.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque body, irregular dark patterning, lack of visible crystal faces, and resistance to scratching by a steel file; quartz should not scratch it. Common sources include Madagascar, Brazil, India, and the western United States.