mineral
Yellow Jasper Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellowish-tan to mustard brown. Luster: Waxy to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline quartz). Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Yellowish-tan to mustard brown
- Luster
- Waxy to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellowish-tan to mustard brown. Luster: Waxy to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline quartz). Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica in groundwater within sedimentary or volcanic environments, stained yellow by goethite or other iron oxides, and subsequently rounded by wave or river action.
Uses & applications
Used for lapidary work, tumbling, cabochons, decorative stone crafts, and mineral collecting.
Geological facts
Yellow jasper owes its warm yellow-tan color to fine inclusions of hydrous iron oxide minerals like goethite. River and beach cobbles like this one have been naturally polished by water and sand over long periods.
Field identification & locations
Look for a smooth, water-worn beach pebble texture with fine-grained opacity and a waxy surface luster. Common along ocean coastlines, riverbeds, and gravel deposits worldwide.
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