mineral

Polished red jasper

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; brick-red to brown with darker mottling, opaque, and displaying a waxy to glassy polish. It is cryptocrystalline, has no visible cleavage, and typically has a specific gravity near 2.6.

Identified August 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or replaces volcanic and sedimentary material, with hematite/goethite producing the red color. Deposits occur from Precambrian to Cenozoic ages in many regions.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, polished stones, bookends, and ornamental objects; occasionally used as a decorative building stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of chert distinguished by its opacity and abundant impurities. Red coloration generally indicates finely dispersed iron oxides rather than a separate red mineral.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque red-brown body, strong polish, lack of cleavage, and resistance to scratching by steel; quartz will scratch it, while it scratches glass. Common sources include India, Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.