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ROUGH GEMSTONES

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MOOKAITE

This is an unofficial, locally coined name for varicoloured Chert and similar material occurring in outcropping on Mooka Station in the Gascoyne River area of Western Australia.

Zebra Rock ZEBRA ROCK

Totally unique, Zebra Rock has been placed at 600 million years.  The only known deposits of this rock have been found in the East Kimberley Area of Western Australia.

Amethyst Geode AMETHYST

Amethyst is a variety of Quartz.
Quartz is itself the crystalline form of Silica.
Amethyst's beautiful purple hue has made it the most valuable of the Quartz varieties.

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Gypsum Crystals GYPSUM

Many types have warped or curved faces, giving them a lenticular appearance.  They are often joined in such a manner as to produce the characteristic "Swallow-tail" pattern

White Gypsum Crystals GYPSUM

(see above for description)

Chrysoprase CHRYSOPRASE

The most valuable variety of Chalcedony, the Apple green translucent variety of Chrysoprase is the most valuable of all.
Chrysoprase also occurs in shades of pale to yellowish and greyish green but the beautiful, deep Apple green varieties are the most prized.

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Azurite AZURITE

Azurite is blue copper carbonate and is the sister mineral to Malachite which is the green equivalent. 
It is renowned for the intense Azure-Blue colour from which it has taken its name.

Malachite MALACHITE

The main occurrences of Malachite throughout the world include Russia, Zaire and Arizona.

Peanut Wood and Tigereye

TIGER EYE
The  bands of light moving across the surface of this Golden-brown stone reminscent of the Tiger's flashing golden eyes doubtless inspired the name of this mineral.
Both the yellow and red varieties are usually classed together as "Tiger Eye".

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PEANUT WOOD
Opalised Black Wood
After the original tree has fallen to the ground, it was attacked by a boring insect leaving "Holes".  Mineral-rich waters replaced the wood molecule by molecule and silica infilled the holes causing the "peanut" effect.
UNAKITE

"Albany Granite"

Opaque granitic rock with main parts of aggregate being Quartz and Feldspar as well as greenish Epidote.  Very compact and hard.  Found in the South Coastal area of Western Australia

IRON ORE


"Hematite"

Selected hard massive crystalline Hematite, the principal ore of Iron is collected afrom Iron mines in the Hammersley district of Western Australia.  It is cut and polished to a lustrous blue-black ornamental stone which is particularly attractive in a Gold or Silver setting.

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RAINBOW HEMATITE

This completely natural material is found near an Iron Ore mine near the city of Belo Horizonte in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Rough Boulder Opal OPAL

Precious Opal glows in reds, blues and greens: colours that ripple and flash as the stone is turned to the light.
The main Opal country is the vast area of sandstone laid under the sea that spread over much of central Australia millions of years ago.

CARE:  Because Opal is porous it can absorb soap and grease so keep it out of soapy water. 
Opal has a minute water content.  To preserve an Opal over the years it is suggested that every 6 to 12 months a very fine film of glycerine should be wiped over the surface of the Opal.

Citrine CITRINE

The distinctive colour of Citrine is due to the presence of colloidal Iron Hydrates and varies from pure yellow to dull yellow, honey or brownish yellow.

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AMBER

This is the hardened Fossil Resin originally discharged from Coniiferous trees. It is found today in geologically young deposits particularly on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

ROSE QUARTZ

This gemstone is found in large distinct crystals. It occurs almost always in a coarse grannular, massive form in shades of pale Pink, Rose Pink and in Rose to deep Rose Red

PYRITE

Also known as Iron Pyrites and "Fools Gold", this mineral is the disulphide of iron and is closely related to Marcasite, which has the same composition.

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QUARTZ

A large family of gemstones is the Quartz family. Colours range from clear through white, blue, green to darker shades such as smokey quartz.

TOPAZ

Topaz is a highly prized gemstone.  It is always transparent to translucent and has a vitreous lustre.

THUNDER EGGS

Believed to have fallen from the sky during Thunderstorms, these 120 million year old natural wonders are a unique and valuable natural treasure.

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Jasper_slice.jpg (37459 bytes) JASPER

Jasper has been called the"Poor Man's Gemstone".
This is hardly justified for it is a hard, dense material, often brilliantly coloured, well-patterned and with its high polish, ideally suited for fashioning objects of great diversity and beauty.

MOTHER OF PEARL

This shell is found extensively in the tropical waters of Northern Australia.  The cultured pearl industry which flourished off the Kimberley coastline is also a rich source of this beautiful shell.

Care:  To retain the beautiful lustre of this natural material, clean occasionally with a soft cloth to remove perspiration and cosmetic residue.

Petrified Wood

PETRIFIED WOOD

Found extensively throughout the world, Petrified Wood needs no introduction.


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