mineral

Red jasper or hematite-rich rock

Red jasper (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂) with hematite (Fe₂O₃)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque, brick-red to black-red, dull to subtly waxy luster, fine-grained and massive; quartz hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, hematite about 5–6.5. The specimen appears rough and iron-stained, with no visible cleavage.

Identified September 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely silica-rich material colored by finely disseminated hematite; jasper forms by chemical sedimentation or replacement in volcanic and hydrothermal settings, commonly from Precambrian through younger rocks. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornamental stone, and tumbling; low-grade pieces are mainly decorative or collectible.

Geological facts

The intense red color comes from oxidized iron rather than the quartz itself. It may also be an iron-rich breccia or altered volcanic rock, not pure jasper.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque red color, high hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch with a steel knife if quartz-rich; a streak test can help, though hematite-rich material may leave a red-brown streak. Common in iron-bearing sedimentary and volcanic terrains worldwide.