3.4" Polished Snakeskin Jasper Sphere - Western Australia
This is a vibrantly colored sphere of snakeskin jasper from Western Australia. It has been flawlessly polished to a glossy-finish, revealing some very interesting banded patterns. It comes with an acrylic ring display stand.
Snakeskin jasper forms as seams of jaspilite in a banded iron formation called the "Weeli Wooli Formation", which is about 2.5 billion years old.
Snakeskin jasper forms as seams of jaspilite in a banded iron formation called the "Weeli Wooli Formation", which is about 2.5 billion years old.
About Jasper
Jasper is a term that can be applied to an opaque variety of chalcedony. The opaqueness is due to a higher concentration of impurities mixed with silica/quartz compared to other varieties of silica, such as quartz or agates. Like agate it may form in a wide variety of colors, and is often multi-colored. In most cases, jasper forms when silica-rich fluids permeate throughout a soft sediment or volcanic debris deposit. The fluids then crystallize around the particles/impurities, resulting in a cementation process. Most often, the impurities present determine the coloration of the deposit following solidification, but other factors can play a role in the color of what is now considered a jasper.
Jasper is a term that can be applied to an opaque variety of chalcedony. The opaqueness is due to a higher concentration of impurities mixed with silica/quartz compared to other varieties of silica, such as quartz or agates. Like agate it may form in a wide variety of colors, and is often multi-colored. In most cases, jasper forms when silica-rich fluids permeate throughout a soft sediment or volcanic debris deposit. The fluids then crystallize around the particles/impurities, resulting in a cementation process. Most often, the impurities present determine the coloration of the deposit following solidification, but other factors can play a role in the color of what is now considered a jasper.
SPECIES
Chalcedony var. Jasper
LOCATION
Turee Creek Cattle Station, Pilbara Region, Western Australia
FORMATION
Weeli Wooli Formation
SIZE
3.4" diameter
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#308228