sedimentary

Yellow Jasper

Microcrystalline Quartz with Iron Oxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness: 6.5-7. Color: yellow to mustard-gold. Luster: dull to vitreous when wet or polished. Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: none, conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.6-2.9.

Hardness: 6
Color: yellow to mustard-gold
Luster: dull to vitreous when wet or polished

Identified April 7, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily through the chemical precipitation of silica in volcanic or sedimentary environments, often associated with hydrothermal activity. Its yellow hue comes from iron-bearing minerals like goethite or limonite.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry making for cabochons, beads, and carvings. Also used for decorative stone in tiles or as a protective/healing stone in metaphysical communities.

Geological facts

Yellow Jasper is known as a stone of endurance and perseverance. It is a dense, opaque variety of chalcedony that has been used by ancient civilizations for seals and ornamentation for thousands of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opacity (even on thin edges), high hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife), and characteristic smooth, shell-like fracture pattern. It is commonly found in river beds, deserts, and volcanic regions worldwide, notably in India, Russia, and the USA.