mineral

Red-and-green jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), colored mainly by iron oxides and possibly chlorite/epidote

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, fine-grained, rounded and apparently polished; mottled salmon-red and gray-green, with a dull to waxy luster. Hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, no visible cleavage, and specific gravity is approximately 2.6.

Identified August 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

A silica-rich variety of chert formed when silica-bearing fluids or sediments became lithified and later stained or replaced by iron-rich minerals; the exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, lapidary ornaments, and decorative stone; it has little industrial value compared with ordinary quartzite or chert.

Geological facts

Jasper is not a single mineral but a rock composed predominantly of microcrystalline quartz. Red coloration commonly reflects hematite, while green areas may contain chlorite, epidote, or other altered minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque, cryptocrystalline texture, strong polish, and inability to scratch with a steel knife; glass should be scratched only with difficulty. Common sources include Madagascar, India, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.