Picture Jasper
A variety of Jasper
What is Picture Jasper?
Also known as Scenic Jasper, picture Jasper is a beautiful variety of Agate or jasperized Rhyolite, prized for its landscape-like inclusions which are revealed when the material is properly cut. The stones with those unusual "pictures" (hills, waves, shores) are highly prized by collectors, not only for their beauty but also for their rarity; the material is mined only in the Namibia desert (Africa) and Oregon (USA).
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.54
- Birefringence
- 0.003-0.009
- Pleochroism
- None
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
- Dispersion
- 0.013
Discover Values
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Picture Jasper before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Picture Jasper Localities Map
See where Picture Jasper is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Picture Jasper
Picture jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, when seen on a cut section. Such patterns include banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), as well as dendritic or color variations. Diffusion from a center produces a distinctive orbicular appearance, i.e., leopard skin jasper or linear banding from a fracture as seen in leisegang jasper. Healed, fragmented rock produces brecciated (broken) jasper.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Picture Jasper in powdered form can be toxic due to its Crystalline Silica content.
- ⚠️Quartz, silica, crystalline silica and flint are non-toxic materials, but very fine dust containing quartz, known as respirable crystalline silicon (RCS), can cause serious and fatal lung disease. Lapidaries should exercise caution when cutting silica.
- ⚠️Picture Jasper is typically non-toxic unless it's in powder form. Long-term exposure to finely ground powder may lead to silicosis. Therefore, when cutting or polishing picture Jasper, be sure to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling its dust.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Brown, tan, beige, reddish-brown, black, white, gray
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5 - 7
- Density
- 2.5 - 2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White, Yellow, Brown, Red
- Luster
- Vitreous, Dull
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- SiO2
- Elements
- Si, O
Also Known As
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Picture Jasper FAQs
How do I identify Picture Jasper?
Picture Jasper can be identified by its hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale, Brown color, Vitreous, Dull luster, Trigonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Picture Jasper?
Picture Jasper typically appears in Brown, tan, beige, reddish-brown, black, white, gray. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Picture Jasper?
Picture Jasper has a hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the characteristics of picture jasper of Picture Jasper?
Picture jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, when seen on a cut section. Such patterns include banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), as well as dendritic or color variations. Diffusion from a center produces a distinctive orbicular appearance, i.e., leopard skin jasper or linear banding from a fracture as seen in leisegang jasper. Healed, fragmented rock produces brecciated (broken) jasper.