mineral

Tumbled red jasper (probable)

Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly colored by iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque reddish-brown, smooth and polished with a waxy-to-glassy luster; hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, cryptocrystalline structure, no visible cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.5–2.7. The photograph alone cannot exclude mahogany obsidian, carnelian, or another iron-rich stone.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

Explore Tumbled red jasper (probable) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement fine-grained sediments or volcanic material, with iron producing the red-brown color. Deposits occur in many ages and settings worldwide; this specimen has been mechanically tumbled and polished.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and lapidary work; less commonly as decorative stone in architecture.

Geological facts

Jasper is a variety of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, though the term is often used broadly for opaque silica-rich rocks. A white streak and resistance to scratching by a steel file support identification as quartz-rich material.

Field identification & locations

Common in Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, South Africa, and the western United States. Field clues include opacity, dense weight, conchoidal fracture, and red coloration; a scratch test should be performed only with permission.