Jasper is a micro crystalline quartz, made from very small grains. It is semi-translucent to opaque. Jasper has been used for thousands of years as tools and weapons during pre-historic times and later for ornaments and jewellery. The origin of the name is the Greek word "iaspis". Jasper is commonly found in North Africa, Sicily, France, India, Venezuela and Germany, and the USA. Source: Encyclopedia of gemstones and minerals.