Dalmatian Jasper
Dalmatian Jasper, also called Dalmatian stone, is a cream to tan spotted lapidary material commonly sold under the jasper trade name.
Dalmatian Jasper properties at a glance
| Type | Quartz Family |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | SiO2 |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal |
| Luster | waxy |
| Streak | White |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 |
| Transparency | opaque |
| Common colors | Cream, White, Black, Tan |
| Rarity | common |
Geology & background
Forms as a spotted silica-rich rock or lapidary material where dark mineral inclusions contrast with a light matrix.
Dalmatian Jasper is a lapidary trade name popular in bead, tumbler, and decorative stone markets.
How to identify Dalmatian Jasper
- Look for the distinctive color, pattern, and translucency associated with Dalmatian Jasper.
- Photograph a fresh or polished surface in natural light and avoid glare.
- Use hardness, luster, fracture, and locality together; many chalcedony trade varieties overlap visually.
Where Dalmatian Jasper is found
Dalmatian Jasper is a trade or collector label that may vary by locality; verify provenance when a source locality is important.
How much is Dalmatian Jasper worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $3 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $15 |
| Premium specimen | $80+ |
Value depends on size, condition, color, pattern, locality, preparation, and provenance. Treat this as educational guidance, not an appraisal.
Common uses
- Tumbled stones
- Beads
- Carvings
- Decorative objects
Interesting facts
- The spotted pattern is the most important visual clue.
- It is widely sold as tumbled stones and beads.
- The trade name may be used even when the material is not a strict geological jasper.
Care & safety
Treat Dalmatian Jasper as a collector specimen unless hardness, cleavage, and fracture are confirmed.
Avoid inhaling dust. Do not cut, grind, or polish unknown specimens without eye protection and a properly rated respirator.
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