mineral

Polished red jasper beads

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂), commonly colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 6.5–7; reddish-brown, orange, tan, and black mottling; opaque, waxy to dull vitreous luster; cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The rounded beads are cut and polished human-processed geological material.

Identified August 29, 2026More mineral →

Explore Polished red jasper beads in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic, sedimentary, or hydrothermal materials, with iron producing the red coloration; deposits range from Precambrian to recent. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, South Africa, and the western United States.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary objects; historically used for tools and decorative stone. It is not generally used as a major construction stone.

Geological facts

Distinctive brecciated or orbicular patterns can resemble landscapes or animal markings. Individual beads may also contain related varieties such as brecciated jasper, picture jasper, or iron-rich chalcedony.

Field identification & locations

Identify jasper by its opacity, earthy red-brown coloration, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it does not usually show translucent edges like agate or chalcedony. A streak, magnification, and examination for dye concentration can help distinguish natural from dyed material.