This Specimen has been sold.
Massive, 15.8" Polished Snakeskin Jasper Section - Western Australia
This is a vibrantly colored section of snakeskin jasper from Western Australia. It's been cut flat on two sides and polished to a mirror like finish on one, revealing some very interesting banded patterns. The other flat cut side is along one edge, making for a perfect display surface.
Snakeskin Jasper formed as seams of jaspilite in a banded iron formation called the "Weeli Wooli Formation" which is about 2.5 billion years old.
Snakeskin Jasper formed 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
15.8 x 7.4 x 6"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#130401