mineral
Red jasper pebble
Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) colored chiefly by iron oxides
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically opaque, reddish-brown with gray-white mottling, waxy to dull luster, and a smooth water-worn surface; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline quartz structure, specific gravity ~2.6.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Red jasper pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Typically opaque, reddish-brown with gray-white mottling, waxy to dull luster, and a smooth water-worn surface; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, no visible cleavage, cryptocrystalline quartz structure, specific gravity ~2.6.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace sediments and volcanic material, with iron oxides producing the red color. It occurs in many geological ages; this specimen appears naturally rounded or tumbled.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, decorative stone, and inexpensive collector specimens; occasionally used as an ornamental building material.
Geological facts
Its color comes mainly from hematite or related iron oxides, while gray patches may represent quartz, silica, or altered host rock.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opaque red color, very fine texture, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife easily; common in volcanic and sedimentary terrains worldwide, including India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the western United States.
