mineral

Tumbled yellow-orange jasper

Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony), SiO₂, colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque mustard-orange, fine-grained, waxy to dull luster, with white quartz/chalcedony patches and surface fractures; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure. Specific gravity is approximately 2.5–2.7.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or replaces volcanic and sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the yellow-orange color. The specimen is tumbled and polished; its precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, tumbling, decorative objects, and inexpensive jewelry; jasper is also collected as an ornamental stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony rather than a single mineral species, and color patterns commonly reflect original fluid flow, brecciation, or iron-rich alteration.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opacity, earthy iron-stained colors, smooth waxy polish, and ability to scratch glass; unlike calcite, it will not fizz readily in dilute acid. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, and the western United States.