sedimentary

Red Jasper

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to brownish red, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Hardness: 6

Identified June 22, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brick red to brownish red, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids permeate through volcanic ash or sediment, often enriched with iron that provides the red color. Typically found in ancient sedimentary or metamorphic environments across all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, beads, and decorative carvings; also used in lapidary arts and as an ornamental stone in construction.

Geological facts

Red jasper has been used since antiquity as a sacred stone; the Egyptians associated it with the blood of Isis. It is a variety of chalcedony.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its deep red color, conchoidal fracture, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Common in diverse locations like India, Brazil, USA, and South Africa.