Breccia is a clastic sedimentary rock composed of broken angular fragments of minerals or rock cemented together by a fine-grained matrix. Unlike conglomerate, the particles in breccia are sharp and angular, indicating they have not traveled far from their source before lithification.

Hardness

3-7

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

Variable

Transparency

Opaque

sedimentarycommon

Breccia

Hardness: 3-7
Luster: Dull
Streak: Variable
Transparency: Opaque

Is this breccia?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch breccia with a known reference. Breccia sits at Mohs 3-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Breccia leaves a variable streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Breccia typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, brown, red, white, variegated.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Breccia vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

sedimentary

Puddingstone

Compare →

Often found alongside breccia

Minerals reported to co-occur with breccia. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 3-7
Density: 2.0-2.8 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Brown Red White Variegated
Streak: Variable
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Decorative, Architectural, Collector
Host rock: Sedimentary Basins, Fault Zones, Volcanic Pipes
Typical price: $5-50 for small polished samples, higher for large decorative slabs.

Where rockhounds find breccia

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

worldwide
Italy
Greece
USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary basins, fault zones, volcanic pipes country, the host setting where breccia typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, limonite 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 Oregon. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for breccia →

Common questions

How do you identify breccia?+

Mohs hardness is 3-7. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is variable. Common colors include gray, brown, red, white.

Where is breccia found?+

Notable localities include worldwide; Italy; Greece; USA.

Can I find breccia in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 breccia rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are Oregon.

How much is breccia worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for small polished samples, higher for large decorative slabs.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like breccia?+

Breccia is most often confused with Puddingstone. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with breccia?+

Breccia commonly co-occurs with calcite, quartz, limonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does breccia form in?+

Breccia typically forms in sedimentary basins, fault zones, volcanic pipes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is breccia used for?+

Breccia is used in decorative, architectural, collector.

Find breccia on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.