sedimentary

Red Jasper (Skull Carving)

Jasper, a cryptocrystalline variety of Quartz (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep brownish-red due to iron inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 6
Color: Deep brownish-red due to iron inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 3, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep brownish-red due to iron inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica in hydrothermal veins or sedimentary environments, where mineral-rich waters permeate volcanic ash or clay. Over millions of years, the silica solidifies into dense, opaque chalcedony.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for lapidary arts such as carvings (skulls, figurines), decorative jewelry, polished cabochons, and as a popular 'healing' stone in metaphysical communities.

Geological facts

Red Jasper has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years; it was known as the 'rain-bringer' in some Native American cultures and was used in the breastplate of the High Priest in Biblical times.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opaque nature (unlike translucent carnelian), its high hardness (it will scratch glass), and its distinctive dull-to-waxy luster on unpolished surfaces. It is found globally, with major deposits in India, Brazil, and the USA.