Description

Jasper – Kambamba Tumbled Stones

Kambamba, aka Crocodile or Nebula Stone, is commonly sold as a jasper or as a stromatolitic rock …BUT… it is neither. WHAT??? The EPI-Institute in Germany studied the rock by thin section and discovered that this stone consists of Quartz, Pyroxene (aegirine), Albite, and K Feldspar (a potassium-dominant feldspar). The characteristic, blackish, rounded aggregates consist of needles of amphiboles (petrified algae-mainly). OK, so what does that mean? In layman terms, it is a fine grained “volcanic” crystalline rock, specifically in the Rhyolite family. So, it has a trigonal crystal system and is in the mineral class of silicates.

Current supplies are coming out of Madagascar although it is found in other areas globally. It’s coloring is generally a very deep green, which appears to be almost black, and has spots and swirls of olive to lighter greens. When found in areas of Mexico, the background is a light green with the swirls being the deep green color. There’s a lot of hoo-hah across the web on this one which seems to be things that have been just copied and pasted 🙁

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know how much I dislike made up terminolgy – especially rock names. Incorrect naming and classifying aside, this really is a fabulous one to work with. And because it is so widely known as Kambamba, I will use it’s given trade name 😀