AllMineralsRock
Amber Vs. Jasper
Amber is a very popular gemstone composed of fossilized tree resin.[1] Jasper is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Amber and Jasper
For a quick recap of the differences amber and jasper:- While both amber and jasper can be opaque, amber can be translucent or transparent.
- For chemical formulas, amber is fossilized tree resin while jasper is SiO2.
- In terms of luster, amber can be greasy or resinous while jasper can be dull, vitreous or waxy.
- While both amber and jasper can be commonly red, amber is often blue, green or yellow.
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Amber's hardness is lower than jasper - amber ranges from 2 to 2.5 and jasper ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
- Amber can be scratched by copper pennies (3.5), the average knife blade (4.5), glass (5.5) or quartz (7) while jasper can not be.
- Amber's specific gravity is lower than jasper - amber ranges from 1.05 to 1.08 and jasper ranges from 2.55 to 2.91.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Amber and Jasper
The similarities of amber and jasper include:- Amber and jasper both streak white.
- Amber's rarity is similar to jasper.
Summary of Amber
Amber is a fossilized tree resin that has been prized for its beauty and healing properties for thousands of years. It is a mineral that has been formed over millions of years from the sap of ancient trees that was buried and compressed under sediment. The result is a translucent, golden gemstone that has become a popular material for jewelry, decorative objects, and even medicinal remedies.Summary of Jasper
Jasper is a type of mineral that is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, and is usually formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments. It is a beautiful and unique mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Jasper is often used in jewelry making, as well as for decorative purposes in home decor and landscaping.Table Comparison of Amber vs Jasper
| Amber (src) | Jasper (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | opaque |
| Chemical Formula | fossilized tree resin | SiO2 |
| Chemical Composition | fossilized tree resin | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 1.05, 1.08, 1.096 | 2.55, 2.91 |
| Hardness | 2, 2.5 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Refractive Index | 1.54, 1.54, 1.545 | 1.54, 1.553 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, blue, green, yellow sometimes: brown, cream, orange, white, violet |
common: red sometimes: yellow less common: blue, gray, black, brown, green, white, orange, band, multicolor |
| Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal |