Lavic Jasper is a picturesque variety of jasper known for its vibrant red, brown, and black banding often found in the Lavic Siding area of California. It is a microcrystalline quartz formed within volcanic rhyolite, making it highly prized by lapidary artists for its ability to take a high polish.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonQuartz family

Lavic Jasper

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

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

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside lavic jasper

Minerals reported to co-occur with lavic 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: 2.58-2.65 g/cm³
Colors: Red Brown Tan Black Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Volcanic Rhyolite
Typical price: $5-50 for rough slabs or finished cabochons

Where rockhounds find lavic jasper

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Mojave Desert, California, USA
San Bernardino County, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in volcanic rhyolite country, the host setting where lavic jasper typically forms. If you start seeing chalcedony, quartz, calcite 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 California. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for lavic jasper →

Common questions

How do you identify lavic jasper?+

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

Where is lavic jasper found?+

Notable localities include Mojave Desert, California, USA; San Bernardino County, California, USA.

Can I find lavic jasper in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 lavic jasper rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are California.

How much is lavic jasper worth?+

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

What rocks look like lavic jasper?+

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

What minerals are found with lavic jasper?+

Lavic Jasper commonly co-occurs with chalcedony, quartz, calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lavic jasper form in?+

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

What is lavic jasper used for?+

Lavic Jasper is used in lapidary, collector, decorative.

Find lavic jasper on the map

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