Mary Ellen Jasper is a silicified stromatolite fossil found in the Mesabi Range of Minnesota, famously dating back over two billion years. It is highly prized by lapidary enthusiasts for its intricate, often swirling patterns of red hematite and black iron oxides set against a silica matrix.
Is this mary ellen jasper?
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 mary ellen jasper with a known reference. Mary Ellen Jasper sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mary Ellen Jasper leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mary Ellen Jasper typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, black, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Mary Ellen Jasper vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside mary ellen jasper
Minerals reported to co-occur with mary ellen 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
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary
- Typical price
- $5-50 depending on slab quality and size
Where rockhounds find mary ellen jasper
Classic worldwide localities
- Mesabi Range, Minnesota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary country — that is the host setting where mary ellen jasper typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, goethite 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.
Common questions
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Find mary ellen jasper on the map
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