metamorphic

Polished red jasper pebble

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) colored mainly by hematite/goethite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs 6.5–7, opaque reddish-brown, dull to waxy or glassy luster, cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.6. The rounded, polished surface indicates a tumbled or water-worn specimen.

Identified August 11, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement sediments, with iron oxides producing the red-brown color; deposits range from Precambrian to recent. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, and the western United States.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and lapidary tumbling; occasionally used as decorative stone rather than structural construction material.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony/microcrystalline quartz, and its patterns and colors result from impurities and mineral inclusions. This specimen may also be sold as red or brown jasper.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque iron-red color, fine texture, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel file generally does not scratch it. Exact identification would benefit from a hardness, streak, or specific-gravity test.