sedimentary
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (Microcrystalline Quartz, $SiO_2$)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, deep red to brownish-red color, vitreous to dull luster, and a microcrystalline trigonal crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Red Jasper in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, deep red to brownish-red color, vitreous to dull luster, and a microcrystalline trigonal crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms from the silica-rich precipitation of marine organisms or hydrothermal solutions, often accumulating in sedimentary environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used for tumbled stones, cabochons in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and lapidary art.
Geological facts
Ancient civilizations used red jasper as a protective amulet and valued it for its grounding metaphysical properties.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opaque red color, waxy luster, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. It is globally distributed and frequently found in riverbeds and jasper-bearing hydrothermal veins.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion
Calcareous concretion; exact fossil and host-rock composition are not identifiable from the image
fossil
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)
Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)
sedimentary