Flower Jasper is a variety of microcrystalline quartz characterized by distinctive floral or star-burst patterns within the stone matrix. It is highly sought after by lapidaries for its intricate patterning and ability to take a high polish, commonly appearing as ornamental cabochons.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonQuartz family

Flower Jasper

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this flower jasper?

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 flower jasper with a known reference. Flower Jasper sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Flower Jasper leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Flower Jasper typically shows a waxy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, white, red, brown, tan.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

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

igneous

Rhyolite

Mohs 6-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Flower Jasper and dull on Rhyolite.

Often found alongside flower jasper

Minerals reported to co-occur with flower 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 g/cm³
Colors: Pink White Red Brown Tan
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
Host rock: Sedimentary or Volcanic Environments
Typical price: $5-50 for slabs or polished cabochons

Where rockhounds find flower jasper

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Mexico
Madagascar
USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary or volcanic environments country, the host setting where flower jasper typically forms. If you start seeing chalcedony, quartz 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 Washington. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for flower jasper →

Common questions

How do you identify flower jasper?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. It typically shows a waxy luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, white, red, brown.

Where is flower jasper found?+

Notable localities include Mexico; Madagascar; USA.

Can I find flower jasper in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 flower jasper rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are Washington.

How much is flower jasper worth?+

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

What rocks look like flower jasper?+

Flower Jasper is most often confused with Rhyolite, Orbicular Jasper. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with flower jasper?+

Flower Jasper commonly co-occurs with Chalcedony, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does flower jasper form in?+

Flower Jasper typically forms in sedimentary or volcanic environments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is flower jasper used for?+

Flower Jasper is used in lapidary, decorative, collector.

Find flower jasper on the map

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