sedimentary

Red Jasper with Quartz Vein

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) inclusions

Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Brick red with white or cream streaks; Luster: Dull to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6
Color: Brick red with white or cream streaks
Luster: Dull to waxy

Identified May 23, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica from volcanic ash or water circulation through sedimentary beds. The red color comes from high iron content. The white vein is a secondary fracture filled by quartz precipitation. Geological age spans from Precambrian to recent.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), massage stones, and as a decorative landscaping element. Used historically for amulets and tools.

Geological facts

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony. It has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years; the Bible mentions it as one of the stones in the breastplate of the High Priest. The name derives from the Greek 'iaspis', meaning spotted stone.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opaque brick-red color and extreme hardness (it will scratch glass). Often found in riverbeds, glacial tills, or coastal gravels. Common in Lake Superior region and the Pacific Northwest.

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