Kambaba Jasper is a trade name for a striking green and black sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline quartz and fossilized stromatolites. It is easily identified by its distinctive circular orbicular patterns that resemble ancient algal growth, making it a favorite for lapidary work and polished ornaments.
Is this kambaba jasper?
3-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 kambaba jasper with a known reference. Kambaba Jasper sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, black.
Often confused with
Kambaba Jasper vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kambaba jasper
Minerals reported to co-occur with kambaba jasper. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- sedimentary
Where rockhounds find kambaba jasper
Classic worldwide localities
- Madagascar
- South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary. If you start seeing quartz, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground.
More kambaba jasper photos
Common questions
How do you identify kambaba jasper?+
Where is kambaba jasper found?+
What rocks look like kambaba jasper?+
What minerals are found with kambaba jasper?+
What kind of rock does kambaba jasper form in?+
What is kambaba jasper used for?+
Find kambaba jasper on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
