 Jasper is a cryptocrystalline variety of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. It makes up about 12% of the earth's crust, occurring in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
Chemical composition: SiO2 Class: tectosilicate Crystal system: Hexagonal-R; 32 (trigonal-trapezohedral) Crystal habit: massive microgranular quartz Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91 Index of refraction: 1.54-1.55 Hardness: 6.5 to 7 Color: red, brown or yellow, colored by finely disseminated hematite or goethite Luster: dull vitreous to greasy Transparency: translucent to opaque Cleavage: Cryptocrystalline quartz shows no cleavage, although parting may occur along laminations Fracture: conchoidal Streak: white Quartz varieties are commonly separated into two groups based on the size of the individual grains or crystals; macrocrystalline quartz in which individual crystals are distinguishable with the naked eye, and cryptocrystalline quartz in which the individual crystals are too small to be easily distinguishable under the light microscope. Chert is the general term applied to the granular cryptocrystalline varieties of quartz, of which flint and Jasper are examples. Jasper is a variety of chert, which is the general term applied to granular cryptocrystalline quartz varieties. It is thought to form by the replacement of calcareous rock by silica-rich solutions, also by direct marine precipitation of silica gel or organic silica. Jasper is commonly associated with interbedded hematite ore deposits of Precambrian age. It occurs as a petrifying agent in fossil wood and bone. Jasper's typical reddish brown color is due to hematite or goethite impurities. In industry and electronics jasper is used as a important ingredient in silicone. Jasper is used as one of the oxides necessary for it's manufacture. Silicon is prepared commercially by heating silica and carbon in an electric furnace, using carbon electrodes. Amorphous silicon can be prepared as a brown powder, which can be easily melted or vaporized. The Czochralski process is commonly used to produce single crystals of silicon used for solid-state or semiconductor devices. Other processes are used to produce silicon for use in transistors, solar cells, rectifiers, and other solid-state devices which are used extensively in the electronics and space-age industries. There are many varieties of jasper. Such as, Leopardskin, Imperial, Scifi, Blue Mountain, Bog, Bruneau, and Succor Creek. among many others. Mostly named for a particular locality or what picture it invokes on ones imagination; where used for ornamentation. Because of it's basic characteristics of hardness, durability, workability and general beauty it remains one of man's most used materials since ancient times. Tx Rockhound Sitemap: |
