mineral

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/Waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Microcrystalline), Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9

Hardness: 6

Identified April 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via the deposition of silica from groundwater or hydrothermal fluids into cracks or cavities in volcanic or sedimentary rocks, often during the Paleozoic or Mesozoic eras. Its red color is derived from high iron content.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, beads, and carvings. Also used historically for seals and as a construction material for decorative stone surfaces.

Geological facts

Ancient civilizations called Jasper the 'Rain Bringer' and used it for amulets. It is a variety of Chalcedony, which is a cryptocrystalline form of silica.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its deep red color, hardness (it will scratch glass), and smooth, shell-like fracture pattern. Commonly found in river beds, deserts, and volcanic regions globally, including the USA, Brazil, and India.

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