sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to brownish red, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to brownish red, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed when silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic ash or sediment, often enriched with iron that provides the red color. Typically found in ancient sedimentary or metamorphic environments across all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, beads, and decorative carvings; also used in lapidary arts and as an ornamental stone in construction.
Geological facts
Red jasper has been used since antiquity as a sacred stone; the Egyptians associated it with the blood of Isis. It is a variety of chalcedony.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its deep red color, conchoidal fracture, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Common in diverse locations like India, Brazil, USA, and South Africa.
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