sedimentary
Red Jasper with Quartz Veining
Jasper (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2) with Quartz (SiO2) inclusions
Hardness 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), dull to waxy luster, opaque red color due to iron inclusions, white quartz vein has a vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), dull to waxy luster, opaque red color due to iron inclusions, white quartz vein has a vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the deposition of silica-rich sediments or volcanic ash where iron oxides permeate the structure to create red coloring. The white vein formed later as silica-rich fluids filled cracks in the rock and crystallized into quartz.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry making (cabochons), river rock landscaping, and as a pocket stone for collectors.
Geological facts
Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of quartz and is often found in banded formations. Red jasper is sometimes called 'the stone of endurance'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its deep red color, inability to be scratched by a steel knife, and the presence of contrasting mineral veins. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and desert regions.
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