Transjordanite is a trade name for a specific variety of silicified breccia or banded chert found in the Levant region. It typically appears as colorful, polished stones featuring swirling patterns in reds, yellows, and browns, often resulting from iron oxide staining during silica replacement.
Is this transjordanite?
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 transjordanite with a known reference. Transjordanite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Transjordanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Transjordanite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, black, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Transjordanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Jasper is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); luster reads resinous on Transjordanite and waxy on Jasper.
How to tell apart: Flint Nodules is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 4-5); luster reads resinous on Transjordanite and waxy on Flint Nodules.
How to tell apart: Carnelian is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); luster reads resinous on Transjordanite and vitreous to waxy on Carnelian.
Often found alongside transjordanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with transjordanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.5-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Sedimentary
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen
Where rockhounds find transjordanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jordan
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary country — that is the host setting where transjordanite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, chalcedony, hematite 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 transjordanite on the map
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