mineral

Red Jasper

Jasper (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2 with Fe2O3 inclusions)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Terracotta red to brownish red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Terracotta red to brownish red
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified February 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from hydrothermal solutions or volcanic ash into cracks and cavities. Its red color comes from iron oxide (hematite) impurities. It can be found in sedimentary or volcanic environments worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a gemstone for jewelry, cabochons, and decorative carvings. Industrially, it has been used in the past for making seals, and it is a popular material for lapidary tumbling and rock collecting.

Geological facts

Jasper was highly prized in the ancient world; it is mentioned in the Bible and was often used in the cylinder seals of Mesopotamia. It is an opaque variety of chalcedony that never occurs in a transparent form.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opacity (it will not let light through even at thin edges, unlike agate), its smooth conchoidal fracture, and its ability to scratch glass. Commonly found in riverbeds and coastal areas following erosion of volcanic or sedimentary deposits.

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