Mookaite Jasper, Natural, Faceted Twisted Rice Beads, One 8mm Strand

Mookaite Jasper, Natural, Faceted Twisted Rice Beads, One 8mm Strand

This price is for one strand 15 to 16 inches long. 

8mm twisted rice bead strands about 35 pieces.

Mookaite is a visually striking stone found in Western Australia. Geologically speaking, Mookaite is a type of sedimentary rock. Origin The name Mookaite is derived from its location at Mooka Station, once a large sheep grazing property. In fact, the name mooka comes from an Aboriginal word meaning running water referring to the numerous springs where this stone can now be found. It has been there quarried since 1960ies.

Mookaite is a visually striking gemstone and is one of Australia’s best-known stones due to its amazing combination of color, pattern, and hardness. Colors in include red, white, brown, yellow, and purple shades that swirl together.

Mookaite has an interesting origin. The area in which it is found was once part of the ocean that had long since receded, leaving an inland sea. As this inland sea evaporated, billions of tiny organisms were left behind in beds up to several meters thick. These skeletal remains absorbed iron rich minerals and silica from the sea. This formation is from the Early Cretaceous period, or around 120 million years old. Mookaite Jasper's unusual origins mean that it can only be found in one area on Earth making it even more desirable.

Hardness 6-7

This is a natural stone with no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing in China.