mineral

Jasper (Red/Carnelian Agate)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown to deep orange color, waxy to vitreous luster, microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage

Identified July 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-brown to deep orange color, waxy to vitreous luster, microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids permeate volcanic rocks or sedimentary deposits, precipitating cryptocrystalline quartz alongside iron oxides (hematite or goethite) that impart the rich red coloring.

Uses & applications

Used widely in lapidary arts, jewelry making (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular collectible beach pebble or tumbled stone.

Geological facts

Red jasper and carnelian have been used for thousands of years as talismans and seal stones in ancient Egypt, Minoan Crete, and Rome, where they were believed to bestow courage and physical strength.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive reddish-brown color, opacity or slight translucency, smooth water-worn texture on beaches/rivers, and high hardness (scratches glass, resists steel). Frequently found along ocean beaches, riverbeds, and gravel bars.