mineral

Polished red jasper pebble

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; brick-red to orange with black or gray mottling, opaque, and displaying a waxy to glassy polish. It lacks visible cleavage and commonly has a dense, cryptocrystalline structure.

Identified September 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater replaces or fills pores in volcanic or sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the red color; deposits range from Precambrian to recent. This specimen appears tumbled or naturally water-worn and polished.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, decorative stone, and small collectible specimens; occasionally used as a minor aggregate or architectural accent.

Geological facts

Jasper is technically a variety of chert, distinguished by its opacity and abundant impurities. The black markings may represent manganese oxides, magnetite, or remnants of the host rock.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red body, fine grain, high polish, and inability to scratch with a steel knife easily; quartz-rich jasper can scratch glass. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.