mineralological
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Opaque brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Opaque brick red to brownish-red
- Luster
- Dull or waxy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Opaque brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91
Formation & geological history
Formed via the deposition of silica from hydrothermal fluids or volcanic ash in sedimentary environments, with red hues caused by iron impurities during mineralization.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a gemstone in jewelry, for decorative carvings, as an ornamental stone in architecture, and as a popular lapidary material for hobbyists.
Geological facts
Red Jasper has been used since antiquity as a sacred stone; ancient Egyptians associated it with the blood of Isis. It is a microcrystalline variety of quartz.
Field identification & locations
Check for high hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and a smooth, curved fracture surface. Commonly found in riverbeds or mountain ranges globally, specifically India, Brazil, and the USA.
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