mineral
Tumbled red jasper
Jasper, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) colored mainly by iron oxides
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically opaque brick-red to burgundy with dark gray or black patches, waxy to dull luster, and no visible crystals; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.6. The rounded edges indicate tumbling or polishing.
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Physical properties
Typically opaque brick-red to burgundy with dark gray or black patches, waxy to dull luster, and no visible crystals; Mohs hardness about 6.5–7, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.6. The rounded edges indicate tumbling or polishing.
Formation & geological history
Jasper forms when silica-rich groundwater replaces or fills cavities in volcanic and sedimentary rocks, incorporating iron oxides and other impurities; deposits range from Precambrian to recent. These pieces are human-processed, not naturally rounded.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, polished stones, and ornamental objects; it is durable but generally an inexpensive gemstone material.
Geological facts
The specimens may also contain brecciated jasper or iron-rich chert, which explains the irregular dark patterns. “Red jasper” is a trade name rather than a single precisely defined mineral species.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its opacity, red iron staining, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it should resist scratching by a steel knife but not quartz. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Brazil, the United States, and Australia.
