mineral
Tumbled red jasper
Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque burgundy-red to brown, mottled with cream and dark patches; waxy to dull luster and no visible crystals. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, conchoidal fracture, cryptocrystalline quartz structure, and specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7.
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Physical properties
Opaque burgundy-red to brown, mottled with cream and dark patches; waxy to dull luster and no visible crystals. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, conchoidal fracture, cryptocrystalline quartz structure, and specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids replace or cement volcanic or sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the red coloration; deposits range from Precambrian to younger ages. This specimen has been shaped and polished by tumbling.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and lapidary collections; it is not generally used as a construction stone in small specimens.
Geological facts
The red color is commonly caused by hematite or other iron oxides. Jasper is a variety of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, though its opaque, impurity-rich composition distinguishes it from translucent agate.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its opaque red coloration, fine-grained texture, high hardness, and inability to scratch with a steel knife easily; streak and exact appearance can vary widely. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the western United States.
