Bruneau Jasper is a highly sought-after variety of orbicular jasper famous for its intricate, concentric patterns in rich shades of cream, red, and brown. It is found exclusively in the remote Bruneau Canyon of Idaho, where it formed in volcanic rhyolite cavities. Lapidary artists prize it for its excellent polish and striking, complex designs.
Is this bruneau 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 bruneau jasper with a known reference. Bruneau 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. Bruneau Jasper leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bruneau Jasper typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, cream, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Bruneau Jasper vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bruneau jasper
Minerals reported to co-occur with bruneau 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
- 2.58-2.64 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rhyolite
- Typical price
- $20-200 slab, $50-500+ finished cabochon
Where rockhounds find bruneau jasper
Classic worldwide localities
- Owyhee County, Idaho, USA
- Bruneau Canyon, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rhyolite country — that is the host setting where bruneau jasper typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, chalcedony 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.
Common questions
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Find bruneau jasper on the map
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