sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Red, brown, or earthy orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline) quartz; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Red, brown, or earthy orange
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Red, brown, or earthy orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline) quartz; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Forms through the deposition of silica from hydrothermal fluids or volcanic ash within sedimentary environments. The red color is caused by trace iron (hematite) inclusions during the solidification process.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts for jewelry, cabochons, and decorative carvings; historically used for seal stones and ritual tools.
Geological facts
In antiquity, jasper was considered a stone of protection and was mentioned in various religious texts. It is an opaque variety of chalcedony.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its rich red color, opacity (light does not pass through even thin edges), and smooth, glass-like fracture surfaces. Often found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, or near volcanic regions.
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