mineral

Tumbled red jasper

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs 6.5–7, opaque, reddish-brown to brick-red, with a fine-grained texture and dull to waxy or polished luster. It has no visible cleavage and is a dense variety of chalcedony/quartz.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Typically Mohs 6.5–7, opaque, reddish-brown to brick-red, with a fine-grained texture and dull to waxy or polished luster. It has no visible cleavage and is a dense variety of chalcedony/quartz.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or replaces volcanic and sedimentary material; iron oxidation produces the red coloration. Deposits range from Precambrian to much younger ages.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary specimens; occasionally used as decorative stone. Common commercial pieces are inexpensive.

Geological facts

The specimen appears rounded and polished, consistent with tumbling; darker flecks may be iron-oxide inclusions or remnants of host rock.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque red color, very fine texture, high hardness, and inability to scratch with a steel knife easily; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common sources include India, Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, and the western United States.