sedimentary

Red Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Red, brown, earthy tones; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Hardness: 6
Color: Red, brown, earthy tones
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 25, 2026More sedimentary →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Red, brown, earthy tones; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic or sedimentary rock layers, enriching them with iron oxides (hematite) which provide the red color. Typically found in Precambrian to Cenozoic deposits.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry (cabs, beads), decorative carvings, lapidary arts, and historically for tools and seals.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its opaque red color, smoothness when weathered, and its high hardness (it will scratch glass). Commonly found in riverbeds or near volcanic outcrops worldwide.