metamorphic
Polished red jasper
Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), colored chiefly by iron oxides
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque brick-red to burgundy, glassy-to-waxy luster, cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, specific gravity 2.5–2.7. The dark gray metallic-looking patches may be hematite/magnetite or natural breccia inclusions.
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Physical properties
Opaque brick-red to burgundy, glassy-to-waxy luster, cryptocrystalline quartz with no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, specific gravity 2.5–2.7. The dark gray metallic-looking patches may be hematite/magnetite or natural breccia inclusions.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace volcanic and sedimentary material, with iron producing the red color; ages range from Precambrian to younger. This specimen has been tumbled and polished.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and ornamental objects; attractive pieces have modest collector value.
Geological facts
Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, not a single mineral. Its red color commonly reflects hematite or other iron oxides.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opaque red body, dense feel, waxy polish, and resistance to scratching by a steel blade; quartz crystal faces and conchoidal fracture are generally absent. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.
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