gemstone

Tumbled red jasper or carnelian

Likely microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony), SiO₂, colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; reddish-brown, opaque to slightly translucent, with a waxy-to-vitreous luster and no visible cleavage. The smooth oval shape indicates tumbling and polishing; the specimen may be jasper, carnelian, or a mixture.

Identified August 16, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids fill cavities or replace rock, with iron producing red and brown colors; deposits range from ancient Precambrian to younger volcanic-hosted settings. Exact age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, worry stones, and inexpensive decorative items; jasper is also used as ornamental stone.

Geological facts

Jasper is opaque chalcedony containing impurities, while carnelian is typically translucent orange-red chalcedony; visual overlap makes precise identification difficult without light transmission or testing.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include India, Brazil, Madagascar, Uruguay, Australia, and the western United States. Check translucency, hardness, and a white streak; it should not scratch easily with a steel knife, though dyeing or surface coatings are possible.