sedimentary
Red Jasper
Jasper (SiO2) - Silicon Dioxide with Hematic impurities
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.9.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Brick red to brownish-red
- Luster
- Dull or waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Brick red to brownish-red; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of fine silica-rich sediment or volcanic ash. The red color is derived from iron (hematite) inclusions that oxidized during its formation in sedimentary environments or hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a gemstone for jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular collected specimen for its ornamental beauty and associated 'grounding' properties in metaphysical circles.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used as a gemstone since antiquity; it was known in Ancient Egypt and mentioned in the Bible as a stone of the high priest's breastplate. Its red color is almost always due to iron oxide.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its opaque nature (unlike translucent carnelian), its high hardness (will scratch glass), and its distinct red streak if powdered. Commonly found in riverbeds, deserts, and volcanic regions globally (USA, Brazil, India).
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