mineral

Yellow jasper pebble (likely iron-stained chert)

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), colored by iron oxides/hydroxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque mustard-yellow, smoothly water-worn or tumbled, with a dull to waxy luster and no visible cleavage; quartz hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs and specific gravity about 2.6. The fine-grained texture and uniform color are consistent with jasper, though a photograph cannot confirm composition.

Identified August 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater replaces or cements sediment, while iron compounds produce the yellow coloration; commonly Precambrian to Phanerozoic in age. Rounded specimens are liberated by weathering and transported in streams, beaches, or glacial deposits.

Uses & applications

Used as lapidary material for cabochons, beads, carvings, polished stones, and decorative objects; occasionally used as aggregate or ornamental stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of chert, not a single mineral species. Yellow tones commonly result from limonite or goethite rather than the quartz itself.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque, very fine-grained appearance, waxy surface, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife easily; a streak, hardness, and acid test would help distinguish it from yellow calcite or dyed material. Common sources include the western United States, Mexico, Madagascar, India, and Australia.