Yellow Feather Jasper
A variety of Jasper
What is Yellow Feather Jasper?
A multicolored jasper most commonly mined in Utah, yellow Feather Jasper is a rare stone largely valued for its appearance. It is not widely recognized outside the craft jewelry industry, but it is highly valued there and among collectors. Technically a variety of silica, it owes its coloring to impurities within the mineral.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.54
- Birefringence
- 0.003-0.009
- Pleochroism
- None
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
- Dispersion
- 0.013
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Yellow Feather 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.
Where to Find Yellow Feather Jasper
Yellow Feather Jasper is a variety of Jasper. RockHoundR, the free-to-download rockhounding map from the Ruby Glint team, shows where collectors find jasper in the US, with land-access notes for BLM land and national forests. Collecting is banned in national parks.
See where to find jasperAlways check the local rules and get the landowner's permission before you collect.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Yellow Feather 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.
- ⚠️Yellow Feather 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 yellow Feather Jasper, be sure to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling its dust.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Yellow, tan, orange with dark brown or black feather-like dendrites
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5 - 7
- Rock tumbling
- Tumbles well
- Density
- 2.58 - 2.91 g/cm³
- Streak
- White, Yellow, Brown, Red
- Luster
- Vitreous, Dull
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- SiO2
- Elements
- Si, O
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Yellow Feather Jasper FAQs
How do I identify Yellow Feather Jasper?
Yellow Feather Jasper can be identified by its hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale, Yellow color, Vitreous, Dull luster, Trigonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Yellow Feather Jasper?
Yellow Feather Jasper typically appears in Yellow, tan, orange with dark brown or black feather-like dendrites. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Yellow Feather Jasper?
Yellow Feather Jasper has a hardness of 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.