mineral

Polished red jasper

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 6.5–7, reddish-brown with fine dark speckling, opaque, and displaying a glassy to waxy luster after polishing. It has cryptocrystalline quartz structure, no visible cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.6–2.9.

Identified August 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediment and volcanic material, with iron oxides producing the red color; deposits range from Precambrian to much younger ages. Common sources include volcanic and sedimentary terrains worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, worry stones, beads, carvings, tabletops, and decorative objects; its durability makes it suitable for ornamental stone but not typically high-value jewelry.

Geological facts

Jasper is a rock rather than a single pure mineral, and its patterns reflect impurities and replacement textures. The specimen appears tumbled and polished, with possible dark magnetite or manganese-oxide inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red-brown color, fine granular texture, lack of cleavage, and resistance to scratching by steel; quartz-rich jasper should scratch glass. Common locations include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.