sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brick red to brownish-red
- Luster
- Dull or waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily as a sedimentary process where silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic ash or sediment, often associated with banded iron formations. It can be found in deposits ranging from millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, for ornamental carvings, in interior design (tabletops), and highly valued by lapidary hobbyists and crystal collectors.
Geological facts
The red color is caused specifically by the presence of iron (hematite) inclusions within the quartz. It has been used since antiquity for royal seals and decorative amulets in Egypt and Rome.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic opaque deep red color, waxy luster when polished, and its inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountainous regions worldwide.
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