sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicate (SiO2 with Hematite impurities)
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Brick red to deep red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brick red to deep red
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Brick red to deep red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed usually from the consolidation of microcrystalline quartz and hematite in silica-rich fluids within volcanic rocks or sedimentary environments. It can occur across many geological eras from Precambrian to the present.
Uses & applications
Primary use is in jewelry (cabochons and beads), ornamental stone carvings, and as a popular specimen for rock collecting and lapidary tumbling.
Geological facts
Red Jasper has been used since antiquity for seals and amulets. Ancient Egyptians associated it with the blood of Isis and carved it into protective amulets. It is an opaque variety of chalcedony.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its deep red color, high hardness (will scratch glass), and smooth, waxy feel when polished. It is commonly found in India, Brazil, the USA (southwest), and Africa.
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