Polychrome jasper
Lapidary material SiO2
Also called Desert jasper
About it
Swirled, multicoloured jasper in pastel and earthy shades from northwest Madagascar. Takes a high polish and is used for cabochons and carvings.
- Type
- Lapidary material
- Group
- Jasper (quartz)
- Formula
- SiO2
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5–7
- Specific gravity
- 2.58–2.91
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), dull
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Colours
- red, brown, cream, pink, yellow, green, swirled
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal to splintery fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.