Rock Identifier
Red Jasper (Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions) — mineralological variety
mineralological variety

Red Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red with dark inclusions. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Hardness
6
Color
Brick red with dark inclusions
Luster
Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red with dark inclusions. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic or sedimentary rocks, often enriched with iron oxide (hematite) which provides the red color. Typically found in hydrothermal vein deposits or as replacement deposits.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as beads or cabochons, for ornamental carvings, and in industrial applications for precision bearings due to its hardness. It is also a popular collector's stone for lapidary work.

Geological facts

Red Jasper has been used since antiquity in cylinder seals, amulets, and ring stones. It is mentioned in diverse mythologies as a stone of protection and physical strength.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its opaque brick-red color, extreme hardness (not easily scratched by steel), and smooth, often waxy or water-worn surface when found in riverbeds. It is commonly found in India, Russia, Brazil, and the Southwestern USA.

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