mineral

Red Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Hardness: 6
Color: Brick red to brownish-red
Luster: Dull to greasy

Identified June 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily from the deposition of silica from hydrothermal solutions or within volcanic rocks where iron oxide impurities provide the red pigmentation. It is often found in prehistoric sedimentary deposits.

Uses & applications

Used extensively as a gemstone in lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and in industrial applications for its hardness.

Geological facts

Red Jasper has been used since antiquity; it was known as the 'mother of all stones' in some cultures and was used in the Breastplate of the High Priest in biblical times.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its deep red color, conchoidal fracture, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. It is frequently found in riverbeds or as nodules in volcanic regions.

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