Jasper

Jasper is a common and more affordable gemstone.  The name "jasper" means "spotted” or “speckled stone".  However, Jasper is not a single gem, hence why it can be found in so many colors, the rarest of which is blue.  

Red Jasper

In the Bible, the jasper gemstone symbolizes the glory, purity, and holiness of God. It appears on the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28) and is featured in descriptions of the New Jerusalem and God's heavenly throne.  There it is described as "clear as crystal". Seemingly the ancient understanding of jasper likely included a more translucent version than the opaque we stone know today

The Mohs Hardness for Jasper ranges from 5 - 7, and most common being around 6.

Also, though it is not recommended, it is possible to perform a “scratch test” by attempting to lightly scratch the surface of the material with a steel knife or key.  MOST BUT NOT ALL Jasper should be hard enough to be unaffected by this test.  

Note: It is best to avoid storing this material in direct sunlight as prolonged exposure can lead to fading color over time. 

Red Jasper shown here.