mineral

Polished red jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), colored by iron oxides and commonly mixed with chalcedony or other minerals

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically opaque, brick-red to brown with gray-green inclusions; waxy to glassy luster and no visible crystals. Hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7, with conchoidal fracture rather than cleavage.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished red jasper
Scientific name: Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), colored by iron oxides and commonly mixed with chalcedony or other minerals
Category: mineral
Identified: August 19, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$25 for a small polished piece; $30–$100 or more for unusually patterned, large, or provenance-specific specimens.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic ash, sediment, or fractured rock, with iron producing the red coloration; deposits range from Precambrian to younger volcanic and sedimentary settings.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and polished palm stones; lower-grade material is occasionally used as decorative aggregate.

Geological facts

The mottled surface may include hematite, goethite, chlorite, or epidote, creating brecciated or orbicular patterns. Jasper is a variety of opaque chalcedony rather than a single chemically pure mineral.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red body, fine grain, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel blade. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and the western United States.