This is another new find from the outback of Western Australia. It occurs near Mooka Station in the Kennedy Ranges about 100 miles inland from the coastal town of Carnarvon. This geologically interesting rock is actually a brecciated radiolarite. Radiolarite or radiolarian chert is a high silica sedimentary rock which may be considered a variety of chert. It is formed as primary deposits and contains radiolarian microfossils. Locally the varicolored opaline to chalcedonic radiolarite is mined and used as a popular stone called Mookaite.

A brecciated variety of Mookaite has been found. It is from the same deposit as normal Mookaite, just a few levels deeper in the ground. The Aussies are calling it “Brecciated Mookaite”. This stone is composed of opaque segments bordered with translucent borders. This creates an interesting puzzle like mosaic of colors that ranges from mustard yellows, creamy whites and tan browns. This Brecciated Mookaite really holds together well and since almost all portions are the same hardness it takes an excellent polish with minimal undercut. As with any brecciated material, there is a possibility of having small voids in the stone. It cuts and polishes nicely and will work for small cabs all the way up to large specimens.

Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia
Item # BMPS04109945

Large Brecciated Mookaite Polished Slab from Australia

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Here is a thick slice of BRECCIATED MOOKAITE that has been polished on one side and smooth cut on the other. There are some natural voids in the highly polished surface that produce a very interesting display specimen. The colors range from creams to tans and browns with splashes of maroon. What appears to be dark fill areas are a translucent pinkish light brown when held up to a light source or backlit. A very rare and collectible piece!

This beautiful specimen measures 7 x 6 x 0.4 inches (slightly thicker than 3/8") or is 180 x 155 x 10mm, and weighs 0.9 lbs (432g).

Brecciated_Mookaite_5_

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Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia

WET

Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia

DRY

Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia

DRY

Brecciated_Mookaite_5_ Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia
Item # BMS12208831

Large Brecciated Mookaite Unpolished Slab from Australia

$32.00

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Here is a nice slab of unpolished BRECCIATED MOOKAITE that has been smooth cut. This unique piece has a real mix of inclusions! The larger tan chert appears as though it were dough or clay that had been sliced leaving separation marks. The colors range from creams to tans and browns with splashes of maroon. There is such a busy mix on this one...a fascinating specimen to look at closely! Another rare collector piece from Australia!

This beautiful specimen measures 4.6 x 3.3 x 0.21 inches (117 x 85 x 5.5mm and weighs 3.08 oz or 0.19 lbs (87.5g)