Petoskey Stones
If you’ve been collecting rocks for any length of time then you’ve definitely come across a Petoskey stone by now. These rocks are part fossil and part rock which makes them pretty interesting. The fossils captured in the stone are Colonial Coral (Hexagonaria percarinata). The coral colonies lived in a shallow sea that covered what’s […]
Kambaba Jasper
Kambaba Jasper has to be one of the more interesting Jaspers you can collect. Some rock collectors believe it’s Jasper while others argue it’s a fossil and that’s not too far-fetched when you think about Turritella Agate. This variety of Jasper has quite a few trades names given it to. So, next time you’re walking […]
Mookaite Jasper
Mookaite is a beautiful variety of Jasper that is only found in one region of the world. It is predominantly comprised of microscopic remains of aquatic organisms known as radiolaria. These Radiolaria measure between 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters and produce intricate mineral skeletons. As the ancient oceans receded, they gradually died out, with the skeletal […]
Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is known by many names, including Ocean Orbicular Jasper, Cellular Jasper, and Atlantis Stone. So what makes Ocean Jasper so special and why should you have it on your list of Jaspers to add to your collection? For one, it’s mined in a single location and the locals have a limited time each […]
Owyhee Jasper
Owyhee Jasper or Owyhee Picture Jasper (pronounced Oh-WAH-hee) is popular among lapidary artists and rockhounds. These beautiful gems are used for designer cabochons because they’re known for their incredible depictions of desert and mountain scenery. They have very little pitting and take a high polish which makes them great for jewelry. Jasper is a member […]
Imperial Jasper
Imperial Jasper is considered by gemologists and collectors to be one of five fine Jaspers. The other four on the list include Morrisonite, Bruneau Jasper, Willow Creek Jasper, and Blue Mountain Jasper. If you’re wondering what qualifies a “Jasper” to be fine then here is what to look for. As you scroll down this page […]
Biggs Jasper
Biggs Jasper is an opaque, dark brown variety of Chalcedony Quartz containing patches or veins of yellow and white quartzite or feldspar. It’s been mined since the 1960s for use in lapidary arts. The common brownish-red color is caused by iron oxide. Biggs Jasper often displays circular patterns formed by concentric circles of mineral deposits. […]
Sagenite Agate
Sagenite Agate, or more properly, Sagenitic Agate, is any Agate containing acicular or needle-like minerals or crystal growths that intersect in a grill-like or grid-like manner. These hair-like inclusions are often arranged in sunburst or fan patterns. This makes it fairly easy to identify when attending a rock and mineral show or when you’re out […]
Condor Agate
Condor Agates were discovered and named by Luis de Los Santos back in 1993. The mountains near San Rafael in Mendoza Province, Argentina is the only known deposit that makes these beautiful Agates slightly rare or at least hard to find at your local rock and mineral show. This type of Agate exhibits colorful bands […]
Turritella Agate
Turritella Agate is an organic gem material that was incorrectly named decades ago. A christener discovered the material and thought that the incredible spiral-shaped gastropod (snail) fossils entombed within the stone were members of the Turritell genus. That, my friends, was a simple mistake because instead, what he found were fossils of freshwater snails, Elimia […]