Jasper
redbrowngreen · Chalcedony family
| Also known as | Chalcedony (Chalcedony family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Red, Brown, Green |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Transparency | Opaque |
| Cleavage | none |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | SiO 2 (with varying impurities) |
| Specific gravity | 2.5–2.9 |
What is Jasper?
Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. The common red color is due to iron(III) inclusions. Jasper breaks with a smooth surface and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for items such as vases, seals, and snuff boxes. The density of jasper is typically 2.5 to 2.9 g/cm3. Jaspillite is a banded-iron-formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper.
How to identify Jasper
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.5–7 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Hexagonal crystal system.
Jasper value
Based on 100 recent eBay sold listings, a raw / cluster Jasper typically sells for $13–$23. After eBay fees a seller nets roughly $14 on a median piece.
| Recently sold | Weight | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Larsonite Jasper 925 Sterling Silver Ring s.8 Jewelry R-1345 | — | $19 | 2026-06-21 |
| Natural Wild Horse Jasper 925 Sterling Silver Ring s.8 Jewelry R-1004 | — | $21 | 2026-06-21 |
| Natural Leopard Skin Jasper 925 Sterling Silver Pendant Jewelry P-1462 | — | $17 | 2026-06-21 |
| Natural Turtella Jasper - USA 925 Sterling Silver Ring s.7 Jewelry R-1012 | — | $20 | 2026-06-21 |
| Natural Snake Skin Jasper 925 Sterling Silver Earrings Jewelry E-1001 | — | $14 | 2026-06-21 |
| 132G Natural Magic Pattern Bumblebee Ocean Jasper Slice Quartz Crystal Specimen | 132 g | $17 | 2026-06-21 |
Typical recently-sold prices, 2026-06. Condition, size and quality vary widely, so this is an estimate, not an appraisal. See current sold listings on eBay ↗. Full value guide · how we work this out.
