Jasper is one of the more common minerals, mainly because it is formed from quartz, which takes up over 12%

of the s
of the earth. Jasper is an extremely interesting mineral that has been known to man for thousands of years. In fact, ther
even evidence of prehistoric man using jasper as weapons or tools in Ethiopia, perhaps millions of years ago.

Jasper is very common and is found throughout the world. Many ancient people knew about this mineral and used it ma
ornamental jewelry, seals for politicians or to create everyday items such as bowls or small cases.

Jasper comes in many sizes and can sometimes be found in big chunks usually near quartz veins. Jaspers most comm
hues are red, brown and yellow, however it can sometimes be found with plenty of mineral inclusions such as Hematite
Goethite. When other minerals are present, Jasper takes on wild and attractive hues and attributes. For instance Hema
form rings or stripes throughout the Jasper similar to Agate, and spots can occur giving it a leopard type or tiger type at

Today, Jasper is used as ornamental jewelry and it can be a great way to be in fashion, since this mineral goes well with
todays sensibilities and styles. Many times jasper is used in bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings. Jasper can also b
onto fabrics such as handbags or even shoes. If you are looking for an attractive gemstone with plenty of style, color an
variety, check out Jasper.

How and Where is Jasper Formed and Found?

Jasper is a mineral formed from quartz. Quartz is the most common type of mineral that makes up about 12% of the ea
crust. While jasper is extremely common, it is also extremely beautiful and has been used since ancient times for ornam
jewelry, as well as bowls and other necessities.

Jasper is a grainy, fibrous mineral type. It is called cryptocrystalline, because it is made up of very small crystals which
be seen with the naked eye. Jaspers scientific composition is Si02 and its crystals are formed in a hexagonal shape. Ja
extremely common and found pretty much in every region of the world.

Jasper is mainly known to come in three different colors, yellow, brown and red. Besides these colors, it can also come
striped or spotted. Usually to make these types of varieties other inclusion are needed such as Hematite and Goethite.
Because of the numerous regions that Jasper is found, as well as the varieties that it is able to be formed in, many time
Jasper is named after the region or its attributes.

Jasper is a pretty hard substance with a score from 6.5 to 7, measured on Mohs hardness scale. This makes it very go
create ornamental jewelry and other items. It is also translucent to transparent in clarity and sometimes has either a ver
or very greasy luster. What makes Jasper very popular is the wild varieties that it can come in. In many of its forms it is
attractive and makes wonderful jewelry or ornaments.

The Uses
of Jasper

Jasper is an extremely beautiful stone, while it is a very common gemstone and found throughout the w
does come in many different varieties and colors. Jasper has been used for thousands of years and eve
tools and weapons during prehistoric times. However, today Jasper is used for its beauty and wonderful
varieties.

Jasper is a type of quartz and is extremely common, found in many parts of the world. Jasper is
microcrystalline quartz and is made from very small grains. It is usually translucent or opaque and come
variety of colors such as red, brown and yellow.

Jasper is primarily used today as ornamental jewelry; however it comes in large enough sizes that it can
be used to create sculptures and small snuff or tobacco boxes.

Jasper can sometimes be spotted or striped. This occurs by other minerals being included in the stone
including Hematite and Goethite. For the most part, the Jasper will be named either by the region that it
comes from or the attributes it has, for instance Tiger stripe.

Jasper has been used by man for thousands of years and some of the more common uses included cer
such as bowls, seals for leaders and politicians and amulets that were thought to protect one from evil.
many amulets were found in Egypt with scripture inscribed on the amulet to protect the wearer from dea
Jasper today is a great stone for jewelry and is quite hard with a score of 6.5 to 7 on Mohs scale. This s
usually stands up for many generations.

Jasper - The History and Origins

Jasper is a very common, but very beautiful stone. It is formed from quartz, which is the most common m
in the world, making up 12% of the earths crust. Jasper is a grainy, fibrous cryptocrystalline, meaning th
formed from crystals, however these crystals are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Jasper comes in several different colors including red, brown and yellow, besides these colors, Jasper c
include bands within the stone that make it appeared striped or spotted. Many times Jasper is named fo
region and the attributes that are found in the stone. For instance hematite and goethite are two minera
are closely associated with Jasper. Jasper is found all over the world and was known to man since the d
of time, there is actually evidence that man used Jasper as a tool or weapon hundreds of thousands of
ago in Ethiopia.

However during, ancient times, jasper was used mainly as ornamental jewelry, as well as seals and for
or boxes. Jasper is generally a hard stone and has a hardness score of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, this
means for the most part that this mineral makes a very good stone for jewelry, however it can be fractur
impacted upon.

During the Middle Ages, the stone of Jasper was used to ward off evil and to make one calm and menta
stable. It is also said to have the medicinal properties of curing kidney disease and digestive problems.