Owyhee Jasper is a highly sought-after orbicular variety of silicified rhyolite known for its distinct pastel blue, brown, and cream landscapes. It typically exhibits flow banding or sphere-like patterns when polished, making it a favorite for lapidary artists. It is found exclusively in the Owyhee Mountains region of Idaho and Oregon.
Is this owyhee 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 owyhee jasper with a known reference. Owyhee 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. Owyhee Jasper leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Owyhee Jasper typically shows a waxy to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, brown, cream, tan.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Owyhee Jasper vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to dull on Owyhee Jasper and waxy on Flint Nodules.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to dull on Owyhee Jasper and vitreous on Opalite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to dull on Owyhee Jasper and waxy on Agate.
Often found alongside owyhee jasper
Minerals reported to co-occur with owyhee 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
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy to Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Rhyolite
- Typical price
- $5-50 for small slabs, higher for high-quality finished cabochons
Where rockhounds find owyhee jasper
Classic worldwide localities
- Owyhee County, Idaho, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in rhyolite country — that is the host setting where owyhee jasper typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, 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.
Common questions
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Find owyhee jasper on the map
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