Kambaba Jasper, Natural, Faceted Rondelle, One 8x5mm Strand

Kambaba Jasper, Natural, Faceted Rondelle, 8x5mm

One strand is 15 to 16 inches long

8x5mm rondelle strands have 70 to 75 pieces

Many say that Kambaba Jasper is sedimentary stone consisting of microcrystalline Quartz and fossilized blue-green algae (prokaryotic bacteria) that grew and fossilized into clumps called Stromatolites. Stromatolites are the oldest known fossils, and one of the earliest records of life on Earth. They date as far back as 3.8 billion years ago.

Others report after X-ray diffraction analysis that Kambaba jasper is a Rhyolite of volcanic origin and thus cannot be a stromatolite. According to the analysis it is composed of a “green ground mass of quartz, and other minerals and that the circular aggregates are arranged from very small amphibole needles. Amphibole minerals form in igneous (volcanic) rocks, not sedimentary ones where fossils are found.

Whichever is correct, Kambaba Jasper is one of the more exotic stones. Its base color is a pleasant blend of greens with mottled patterns of black orbicular specks, black swirls and spotty patterns. Kambaba Jasper can have some fascinating patterns. It is found in Madagascar and South Africa.

Hardness 6.5-7

This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing.

The source of these beads is South Africa, and they are cut, drilled and polished in China.