mineral

Red Jasper

Jasper (Silicon Dioxide with Iron Oxide inclusions - SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Opaque brick red to deep terracotta; Luster: Vitreous to dull when raw, waxy/shiny when polished; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Opaque brick red to deep terracotta
Luster: Vitreous to dull when raw, waxy/shiny when polished

Identified February 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica-rich fluids within cracks or volcanic ash beds. The red color is caused by high concentrations of iron oxide (hematite). It can be found in various geological environments ranging from Precambrian to recent deposits.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as a gemstone for jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative ornaments, stone carvings, and lapidary practice. Historically used for seal stones and ritual tools.

Geological facts

Jasper has been used as a sacred stone by various cultures for millennia; it was referenced as a stone in the breastplate of the High Priest in Biblical times. It is considered an impure variety of silica due to containing up to 20% foreign materials.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opaque nature (it does not let light through even at thin edges, unlike carnelian), its high hardness (it will scratch glass), and its characteristic smooth, waxy feel when water-worn. Common in areas with high volcanic activity or sedimentary regions in India, Brazil, USA, and South Africa.

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