gemstone

Red jasper (possible polished or dyed stone)

Jasper, an opaque microcrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, smooth, opaque red sphere with a matte-to-waxy surface; visual identification is uncertain because it may be coated or dyed. If jasper, hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, with no visible cleavage and a fine-grained quartz structure.

Identified September 26, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids fill or replace sedimentary or volcanic material; its red color commonly comes from iron oxides. Jasper can form in many geological ages and settings.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, ornaments, and collectibles; this small sphere appears to be a bead or polished object.

Geological facts

Jasper is a trade name for opaque, patterned chalcedony rather than one single mineral species.

Field identification & locations

The image alone cannot confirm natural stone or distinguish jasper from dyed stone, glass, or another red material; check for consistent color, natural inclusions, and hardness only with permission. The reported location in eastern Ethiopia does not establish the specimen’s origin.