Reviews
5.3" Tall Picture Sandstone Arch - Arizona
This is a 5.3 tall Toroweap picture sandstone arch. This stunning and distinctive sandstone, mined near Snowflake, Arizona, has been artistically crafted into an arch shape, inspired by natural sandstone formations like Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. The base of this specimen has been cut flat for vertical presentation.
About Toroweap Sandstone
Toroweap sandstone is a remarkable material sourced from a claim near Snowflake, Arizona. This sandstone is part of the lower member of the Toroweap Formation, a prominent layer in the upper Grand Canyon sequence. Situated between the Kaibab and Coconino formations, the Toroweap Formation is composed of sandstone, limestone, and gypsum, which were deposited in warm, shallow seas approximately 250 million years ago during the Permian Period.
The stone's striking banding and patterns are entirely natural, formed by the infiltration of iron oxide-rich groundwater over millennia. These vibrant colors can become even more pronounced through exposure to intense heat. This effect was first discovered when a geologist noticed a piece of sandstone with brighter-than-usual coloring buried in the dirt. Further investigation revealed that the rock’s vivid hues resulted from chemical alterations caused by exposure to extreme heat, likely from a forest fire. Inspired by this discovery, the geologist experimented with "baking" the stone in an oven at 500°F for several hours, successfully replicating the effect.
A distinctive feature of Toroweap sandstone is the dark brown lines that create ridges and ledges in the carvings. These lines are composed of manganese dioxide, the same mineral responsible for the desert varnish streaks found on canyon walls throughout the Southwest.
Toroweap sandstone is a remarkable material sourced from a claim near Snowflake, Arizona. This sandstone is part of the lower member of the Toroweap Formation, a prominent layer in the upper Grand Canyon sequence. Situated between the Kaibab and Coconino formations, the Toroweap Formation is composed of sandstone, limestone, and gypsum, which were deposited in warm, shallow seas approximately 250 million years ago during the Permian Period.
The stone's striking banding and patterns are entirely natural, formed by the infiltration of iron oxide-rich groundwater over millennia. These vibrant colors can become even more pronounced through exposure to intense heat. This effect was first discovered when a geologist noticed a piece of sandstone with brighter-than-usual coloring buried in the dirt. Further investigation revealed that the rock’s vivid hues resulted from chemical alterations caused by exposure to extreme heat, likely from a forest fire. Inspired by this discovery, the geologist experimented with "baking" the stone in an oven at 500°F for several hours, successfully replicating the effect.
A distinctive feature of Toroweap sandstone is the dark brown lines that create ridges and ledges in the carvings. These lines are composed of manganese dioxide, the same mineral responsible for the desert varnish streaks found on canyon walls throughout the Southwest.
SPECIES
Sandstone
LOCATION
Snowflake, Arizona
FORMATION
Toroweap Formation
SIZE
Size: 5.3 x 5.1 x 1.7"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#309732
