mineralological variety
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red with dark inclusions. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brick red with dark inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red with dark inclusions. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic or sedimentary rocks, often enriched with iron oxide (hematite) which provides the red color. Typically found in hydrothermal vein deposits or as replacement deposits.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as beads or cabochons, for ornamental carvings, and in industrial applications for precision bearings due to its hardness. It is also a popular collector's stone for lapidary work.
Geological facts
Red Jasper has been used since antiquity in cylinder seals, amulets, and ring stones. It is mentioned in diverse mythologies as a stone of protection and physical strength.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its opaque brick-red color, extreme hardness (not easily scratched by steel), and smooth, often waxy or water-worn surface when found in riverbeds. It is commonly found in India, Russia, Brazil, and the Southwestern USA.
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