mineral

Polished red jasper

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically opaque brick-red to reddish-brown with subtle mottling, a vitreous-to-waxy luster, and no visible crystal faces; Mohs hardness 6.5–7, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.5–2.7. The rounded rectangular shape indicates a cut and polished specimen.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediments and volcanic material, with iron oxides producing the red color; deposits range from Precambrian to relatively young. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and the western United States.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary pieces; historically used for tools and decorative stone. It has little structural or industrial value compared with common aggregate.

Geological facts

Jasper is not a single mineral species but a dense, impure form of microcrystalline quartz containing hematite, goethite, clay, or other inclusions. Its patterns and color intensify after polishing.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red color, fine-grained texture, glassy polish, and resistance to scratching by steel; it should not fizz in dilute hydrochloric acid. Exact variety requires examination of pattern and locality.