mineral

Polished red jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque brick-red to brown, glassy-to-waxy luster, with pale gray quartz or chalcedony veins; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, no visible cleavage, and typically massive cryptocrystalline structure. The rounded shape indicates a polished or tumbled specimen.

Identified August 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich groundwater replaces or cements volcanic ash, sediments, or fractured rock, with iron producing the red color. Its age depends on locality; jasper occurs in rocks from Precambrian through younger geologic periods.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and lapidary collections; occasionally used as decorative stone. Common material has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Its red coloration mainly reflects hematite or related iron oxides, while the light bands are likely quartz, chalcedony, or healed fractures.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in volcanic and sedimentary terrains, including India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and the western United States. Field identification relies on opacity, red iron-rich color, very fine texture, glass-scratching hardness, and lack of acid reaction.