Jasper red

Jasper red is a natural red stone pigment powder ground from red jasper, a dense, fine-grained quartz rock colored by iron oxide. It gives warm, earthy reds that granulate in watercolor and suit glazes in oil, egg tempera, gouache and acrylic; as a lime-fast mineral it can also be used in fresco and plaster.

Key facts

• Color: warm earthy red
• Pigment type: Natural mineral pigment (ground jasper)
• Composition: microcrystalline quartz and chalcedony colored by iron oxide; approx. SiO₂ 80–95%, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ up to 15%, CaO 3–6%
• Also known as: red jasper
• Opacity: semi-transparent; granulates in watercolor
• Lightfastness: 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data)
• Chemical resistance: alkali 5/5, lime 5/5, acid 5/5 (supplier data, 5 = best)
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, fresco (lime), lime and cement plaster, ceramics
• Packaging: 50 g jar · 1 kg bag

How to use

Dampen the powder with a little binder to keep dust down, then mix it in with a palette knife or muller: linseed oil, egg yolk, gum arabic or acrylic medium. In watercolor the stone particles settle into the paper and give a granulated, stony wash; in oil it is semi-transparent and works well in glazes and warm underpainting. For fresco, paste it with water and paint onto fresh lime plaster; it can also tint lime and cement plaster and, according to the supplier, silicate binders.

About jasper

Jasper is an opaque, impure form of silica made of very fine-grained quartz or chalcedony; iron gives its common red color. The name comes through Latin from the Greek iaspis, a word of Semitic origin. Jasper was carved into seals on Minoan Crete around 1800 BC. In Russia, decorative jaspers are found in the Southern Urals around Orsk and Miass, in the Altai and on the Kola Peninsula.

Safety

Jasper consists mainly of crystalline silica (quartz): avoid breathing the dust. Handle dry pigment with care: avoid breathing the dust and contact with eyes. Wear a dust mask (FFP2/N95) and gloves when working with the powder, work in a well-ventilated area and wipe up spills with a damp cloth. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working; wash your hands afterwards. Keep away from children and pets. For artistic and technical use only — not for cosmetics, food or tattoos.

FAQ

Does Jasper red granulate?

Yes. The supplier describes it as glazing and granulating: in watercolor the particles settle into the paper texture.

How is red jasper different from red ochre?

Both owe their red to iron oxide. Red ochre is a soft earth of iron oxide with clay and sand, while red jasper is a hard rock of fine-grained quartz, which gives a more transparent, granular paint.

Is Jasper red lightfast?

Yes. It is rated 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data).