Jaspilite is a distinctive banded rock composed of alternating layers of hematite and red jasper. It is highly valued by lapidaries for its striking color contrasts and intricate folded patterns which often result from tectonic deformation of the original iron-rich sediments.
Is this jaspilite?
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 jaspilite with a known reference. Jaspilite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jaspilite leaves a reddish-brown to gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jaspilite typically shows a vitreous to metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, gray, silver, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive, banded.
Often confused with
Jaspilite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jaspilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jaspilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 3.2-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Reddish-brown to Gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Banded
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- Precambrian Banded Iron Formations
- Typical price
- $5-50 for slabs and polished specimens
Where rockhounds find jaspilite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Lake Superior region, USA
- Pilbara, Australia
- Krivoy Rog, Ukraine
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in precambrian banded iron formations country — that is the host setting where jaspilite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, magnetite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, banded habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Michigan — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find jaspilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
