mineral

Tumbled jasper

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown, smoothly polished, with a waxy to vitreous luster and subtle pale veining; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, no cleavage, cryptocrystalline structure, and specific gravity around 2.5–2.9.

Identified August 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic ash, sediments, or other rocks, with iron oxides producing the red color. Deposits range from Precambrian to modern geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, decorative stone, and inexpensive lapidary pieces; polished tumbled specimens commonly sell for a few dollars.

Geological facts

Its coloration commonly comes from hematite or goethite inclusions. The exact variety may be red jasper, brecciated jasper, or another iron-rich jasper, but the image alone cannot distinguish them reliably.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by opacity, red-brown color, very fine texture, and resistance to scratching by a steel blade; quartz-rich jasper should scratch glass. Common localities include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.