Baoshi Hill Red Jasper (Zhejiang, China)

Baoshi Hill Red Jasper Specimen – Baoshi Hill (宝石山), Xihu District (西湖区), Hangzhou (杭州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), China (中国)

A truly striking specimen of opaque, red Jasper that were personally sourced from the scenic Baoshi Hill (宝石山, literally 'Precious Stone Hill') in Hangzhou (杭州), China. These pieces offer a beautiful example of the world’s most popular variety of microcrystalline quartz, making them perfect for collectors, lapidarists, and anyone drawn to the vibrant geology of East Asia.

Jasper is a highly desirable, fine-grained, microcrystalline variety of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). Its opaque, vivid red colour is attributed to microscopic inclusions of Hematite (iron oxide) within the silica structure. This specimen showcase the classic features of high-quality Jasper: a deep, consistent reddish-brown to terracotta hue, and the smooth, shell-like (conchoidal) breaks characteristic of pure, cryptocrystalline quartz.

The specimens also present a fascinating geological narrative, as some pieces show a distinct contact with the surrounding host rock, which offers a valuable window into the conditions of their formation on Baoshi Hill. Baoshi Hill, located on the north shore of the famous West Lake in Hangzhou, is a significant cultural landmark renowned for its unique geological formations and its historic use as a source for ornamental stones. The name, 'Precious Stone Hill', speaks directly to the quality of the geological material found here. This Jasper is not merely a mineral; it is a tangible piece of the cultural and geological heritage of one of China's most beautiful cities. Its dense, fine-grained structure makes it excellent for lapidary work and an ideal example of microcrystalline quartz for educational collections or a visually impactful decorative display.

Origin: Baoshi Hill (宝石山), Xihu District (西湖区), Hangzhou (杭州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), China (中国)
Mineral type: Red Jasper
Size: ~11(L) x 6(H) x 4(W) cm (see scale cube), 229 g