sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with hematite inclusions
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red to brownish red. Luster: Dull to vitreous (waxy when polished). Crystal structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline quartz). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brick red to brownish red
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous (waxy when polished)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Brick red to brownish red. Luster: Dull to vitreous (waxy when polished). Crystal structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline (Cryptocrystalline quartz). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.91.
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily from the deposition of silica-rich fluids in volcanic or sedimentary environments. Its red color is derived from high concentrations of iron oxide (hematite) inclusions incorporated during the solidification process.
Uses & applications
Widely used for ornamental carvings, jewelry (cabochons, beads), and as a landscape stone. Historically used for making tools and seals.
Geological facts
Red Jasper has been used for millennia; it was known as a 'warrior's stone' in ancient cultures and is mentioned in various historical texts as a stone of protection and endurance.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its opaque red color, conchoidal fracture (smooth curved breaks), and 'steely' hardness that can scratch glass. Common in riverbeds, deserts, and glacial deposits globally.
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