Jasper is an opaque, microcrystalline variety of quartz that often contains impurities like iron oxides, resulting in diverse colors and complex patterns. Collectors value it for its susceptibility to high polish and the unique landscapes or banding often found within individual stones.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonQuartz family

Jasper

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

Is this 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 jasper with a known reference. 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. Jasper leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Jasper typically shows a waxy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: red, yellow, brown, green, black, multicolored.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside jasper

Minerals reported to co-occur with 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: 2.5-2.9 g/cm³
Colors: Red Yellow Brown Green Black Multicolored
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
Host rock: Sedimentary and Volcanic Rocks
Typical price: $5-50 for hand specimens or cabs

Where rockhounds find jasper

347 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

USA
Madagascar
Brazil
India
Egypt

U.S. states with jasper

Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce jasper.

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary and volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where jasper typically forms. If you start seeing chalcedony, quartz, 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 Oregon, New Mexico, Utah — start trip planning there.

Browse 347 U.S. spots for jasper →

Common questions

How do you identify jasper?+

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

Where is jasper found?+

Notable localities include USA; Madagascar; Brazil; India; Egypt.

Can I find jasper in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 347 jasper rockhounding spots across 12 U.S. states — the top states are Oregon, New Mexico, Utah.

How much is jasper worth?+

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

What rocks look like jasper?+

Jasper is most often confused with Flint Nodules, Chalcedony, Agate. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with jasper?+

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

What kind of rock does jasper form in?+

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

What is jasper used for?+

Jasper is used in lapidary, decorative, collector.

Find jasper on the map

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