mineral

Yellow jasper (likely ocean jasper or brecciated jasper)

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide staining and dark mineral veins

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tumbled and polished, opaque mustard-yellow with black/gray branching veins; vitreous to waxy luster, cryptocrystalline quartz, no visible cleavage, Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7.

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement fine sediment, volcanic ash, or breccia, with iron oxides producing the yellow coloration; commonly Cenozoic to older, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, polished stones, and decorative objects; generally an inexpensive lapidary material.

Geological facts

The specimen’s rounded shape and glossy surface indicate tumbling and polishing. Dark vein networks may represent manganese/iron oxides or healed fractures, and the exact variety cannot be confirmed from an image alone.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in volcanic and sedimentary terrains, especially Madagascar, India, Australia, Brazil, and the western United States; distinguish from yellow calcite by its greater hardness and lack of acid reaction.