mineral

Red jasper or iron-rich quartz/chalcedony

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂, colored mainly by hematite/goethite inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 6.5–7 Mohs, reddish-brown with translucent gray-white areas, and a vitreous to waxy luster; quartz has a trigonal crystal structure but is cryptocrystalline here, with no obvious cleavage and conchoidal fracture.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

Explore Red jasper or iron-rich quartz/chalcedony in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids fill cavities or replace host rock, while iron oxides produce the red-brown coloration; specimens may range from ancient Precambrian deposits to younger hydrothermal or sedimentary settings.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary stone for cabochons, carvings, beads, and polished specimens; occasionally used as a minor decorative aggregate.

Geological facts

The specimen’s irregular translucent patches and iron-rich red color are consistent with jasper or brecciated chalcedony, though visual identification alone cannot distinguish it confidently from red quartz-rich material.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in hydrothermal veins, volcanic cavities, and iron-rich sedimentary formations worldwide. A glassy streakless appearance, quartz-level hardness, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife support quartz; a streak test and hardness test help confirm it.