Black Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of quartz characterized by its deep, opaque black color caused by impurities like iron oxides or organic material. It is typically found as massive nodules or fillings in rock fractures and is highly sought after by lapidary artists for its ability to take a high polish.
Is this black jasper?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch black jasper with a known reference. Black Jasper sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Black Jasper leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Black Jasper typically shows a waxy to vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Black Jasper vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to vitreous on Black Jasper and vitreous on Black Tourmaline.
How to tell apart: Black Jasper is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 2.5-4); streak differs — Black Jasper leaves white, Jet leaves brown; luster reads waxy to vitreous on Black Jasper and resinous on Jet.
Often found alongside black jasper
Minerals reported to co-occur with black jasper. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy to Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Formations and Volcanic Environments
- Typical price
- $5-20 per specimen
Where rockhounds find black jasper
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- USA
- Madagascar
- India
- Brazil
- Egypt
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary formations and volcanic environments country — that is the host setting where black jasper typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Arizona, New Jersey — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find black jasper on the map
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