sedimentary
Red Jasper with Quartz Veining
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with white veins; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Reddish-brown with white veins
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with white veins; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich fluids that precipitated in volcanic or sedimentary environments. The red color comes from iron oxide (hematite). The white veins are later-stage quartz infills of fractures within the stone.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts for cabochons, beads, and decorative carvings. Also used as a landscaping stone and for 'healing crystal' collections.
Geological facts
Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. Historically, it was known as the 'supreme nurturer' in ancient cultures and has been used for seals and amulets for thousands of years.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), opaque nature, and smooth, waxy feel when tumbled. This specific specimen shows characteristic quartz-filled fractures known as 'veining'. Common in riverbeds and desert environments.
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