mineral

Red jasper (likely iron-oxide-rich jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) colored by hematite/goethite (Fe₂O₃/FeO(OH))

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, brick-red to black, earthy-to-dull luster, very fine-grained and massive; quartz hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, with no visible cleavage. The rough surface and coloration may also indicate iron-rich silicified rock or slag-like material, so identification is provisional from the image.

Identified September 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediments and volcanic rocks, with iron oxides producing the red color; commonly Precambrian to younger. It may occur as nodules, veins, or silicified layers.

Uses & applications

Used as a lapidary stone, cabochons, carvings, beads, and ornamental objects; lower-grade material is mainly a collector specimen.

Geological facts

A red streak supports hematite-rich jasper, while a white streak and glassier fractures support quartz-rich jasper. Magnetic response, streak testing, and a hardness test help distinguish it from iron slag or painted material.

Field identification & locations

Common in iron-formations and volcanic terrains worldwide, including India, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, and the western United States. Check for a white streak, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife.