PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Silicates - tectosilicates
- COMPOSITION SiO2
- COLOR Red, yellow, brown and many others
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Hexagonal / trigonal
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT Cryptocrystalline
- HARDNESS 7
- FRACTURE Conchoidal
- EXFOLIATION Null
- GLOSS Vitreous
- STRIP White
- TRANSPARENCY Opaque
- SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.7
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The jasper is an opaque variety of microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony). It can present different colors depending on its inclusions, and may contain up to 20% of other minerals. Sometimes it is formed together with the agate, the opal or some fossilized material. The red jasper owes its brownish-red color to its hematite content.
The name of jasper comes from the Greek "iaspis", which means "stained stone". It is found in hydrothermal veins, in volcanic rocks, and in sedimentary rocks.
Deposits: Czech Republic, Madagascar, Africa, Belgium, Peru, United States, Russia, Portugal and Brazil.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The red jasper is a stone associated with the 1st chakra, it promotes grounding, strength and security. It is usually indicated to energize the body and give it vitality. It is considered a stone of cleansing and balance. On a healing level, it is said to help detoxify the circulatory system.
