Dalmatian Stone

Hardness 5.5 to 7 Mohs, dull to vitreous luster, opaque, white-to-cream matrix with black or dark brown spots, trigonal/monoclinic mineral components, specific gravity around 2.6.

Formed through igneous processes where a white groundmass composed mostly of quartz, feldspars, and clay minerals contains dark inclusion spots primarily consisting of the amphibole mineral arfvedsonite (formerly misidentified as tourmaline). Primarily sourced from Chihuahua, Mexico.

Used widely in ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, costume jewelry, beads, polished cabochons, and as pocket stones or crystal healing specimens.

Despite often being called 'Dalmatian Jasper', it is actually a felsic igneous rock rather than a true jasper (microcrystalline quartz). Its distinctive spots resemble the coat of a Dalmatian dog.

Identified by its distinctive speckled appearance consisting of dark arfvedsonite spots on a cream-colored, fine-grained matrix. Easily distinguished from synthetic stones by its natural texture and varying spot density. Widely available from Mexican deposits.