Ochoco Jasper is a visually striking variety of silicified rhyolite from the Ochoco Mountains of Oregon known for its complex, brecciated patterns and vibrant, earthy color palette. It often features intricate veinings, orbicular inclusions, and dendrites that take a high polish, making it a favorite for lapidary artists and cabochon cutters.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

fossilcommonChalcedony family

Ochoco Jasper

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

No image

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

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside ochoco jasper

Minerals reported to co-occur with ochoco 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: 2.6-2.65 g/cm³
Colors: Red Orange Brown Yellow Green
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Volcanic Rhyolite Flows
Typical price: $10-100 per pound of rough; $20-200 for polished specimens

Where rockhounds find ochoco jasper

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Ochoco Mountains, Oregon, USA
Crook County, Oregon, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in volcanic rhyolite flows country — that is the host setting where ochoco jasper typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, opal, chalcedony 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 — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for ochoco jasper →

Common questions

How do you identify ochoco jasper?+

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

Where is ochoco jasper found?+

Notable localities include Ochoco Mountains, Oregon, USA; Crook County, Oregon, USA.

Can I find ochoco jasper in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 ochoco jasper rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are Oregon.

How much is ochoco jasper worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 per pound of rough; $20-200 for polished specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like ochoco jasper?+

Ochoco Jasper is most often confused with Morrisonite, Biggs Jasper, Bruneau Jasper. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ochoco jasper?+

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

What kind of rock does ochoco jasper form in?+

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

What is ochoco jasper used for?+

Ochoco Jasper is used in lapidary, collector, decorative.

Find ochoco jasper on the map

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