Jasper
Chalcedony variety colored by iron oxide / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases,[1][2] is an opaque,[3] impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. The common red color is due to iron(III) inclusions. Jasper breaks with a smooth surface and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for items such as vases, seals, and snuff boxes. The density of jasper is typically 2.5 to 2.9 g/cm3.[4] Jaspillite is a banded-iron-formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper.
"Jaspis" redirects here. For the genus of sea sponges, see Ancorinidae.
This article is about the mineral. For other uses, see Jasper (disambiguation).
Quick Facts General, Category ...
Jasper | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | SiO2 (with varying impurities) |
Crystal system | Hexagonal |
Crystal class | Quartz (Chalcedony) |
Identification | |
Colour | Most commonly red, but may be yellow, brown, green or (rarely) blue |
Cleavage | Indiscernible |
Mohs scale hardness | 6.5–7 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 2.5–2.9 |
Refractive index | 1.54–2.65 |
Birefringence | 0.009 |
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