sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Red, terracotta, or brownish-red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Red, terracotta, or brownish-red
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Red, terracotta, or brownish-red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed when fine particulate materials (silica) are deposited in hydrothermal veins or sedimentary environments, acquiring its red hue from high iron oxide content during the process of silicification.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, for ornamental carvings, in decorative mosaics, and as a popular stone for tumbling and meditation practices.
Geological facts
Red Jasper has been used for millennia; in ancient Egypt it was associated with the blood of Isis, and it is mentioned in several historic texts as a stone of protection and physical endurance.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its deep red color, characteristic opacity (unlike translucent carnelian), and smooth, waxy feel when polished. It is frequently found in riverbeds or as pebbles on beaches in volcanic regions.
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