sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to deep red, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to deep red, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments in volcanic or sedimentary environments. Its red color is derived from iron (hematite) inclusions incorporated during formation.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work for jewelry, cabochons, and beads. Also used in ornamental carvings, as a decorative garden stone, and collected as a healing crystal.
Geological facts
Red Jasper is one of the most common varieties of jasper and has been used since antiquity in seals, amulets, and ring stones across Egypt and Rome.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opaque red color, waxy luster when polished, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Common locations include Brazil, India, USA, and South Africa.
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