sedimentary

Tumbled yellow jasper or chert pebble

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely jasper/chert with iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; opaque cream-yellow color with faint reddish-brown veining, dull to waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture hidden by tumbling. Quartz has a trigonal crystal structure but is present here as microcrystalline mass with no visible cleavage.

Identified September 7, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Tumbled yellow jasper or chert pebble
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely jasper/chert with iron-oxide staining
Category: sedimentary
Identified: September 7, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $2–$15 for a small common tumbled pebble; $10–$40 if unusually attractive, patterned, or sold as a quality lapidary specimen.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids replaced or cemented sediment, often incorporating iron oxides that produce the yellow coloration; likely Paleozoic or younger, though age cannot be determined from the photograph. The rounded shape indicates natural water abrasion and/or mechanical tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative stone, lapidary material, cabochons, beads, carvings, and inexpensive polished specimens; not typically used as a major construction stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, while chert is the broader geological term for similar silica-rich rock. Color alone cannot reliably distinguish jasper from stained quartzite or other silicified rock.

Field identification & locations

Look for high hardness, opacity, waxy texture, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by ordinary steel. Common in stream gravels and silica-rich formations worldwide.