sedimentary

Mookaite Jasper

Mookaite (Silicified radiolarite, SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6.5-7. Color: Ochre, burgundy, white, mustard yellow, and cream. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal Structure: Cryptocrystalline. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 6
Color: Ochre, burgundy, white, mustard yellow, and cream
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified July 11, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5-7. Color: Ochre, burgundy, white, mustard yellow, and cream. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal Structure: Cryptocrystalline. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Cretaceous Period (approx. 66-145 million years ago) from the skeletal remains of radiolaria (microscopic marine organisms) that were deposited in shallow sea beds and later silicified.

Uses & applications

Highly prized for lapidary work, including cabochons, beads, carvings, and polished spheres. Also popular as a healing stone in metaphysical communities.

Geological facts

Mookaite is found only in one location in the world: the Kennedy Ranges of Western Australia, along Mooka Creek. The name 'Mooka' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'running waters'.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its distinctive earthy color palette and porcelain-like feel. In the field, look for a dense, cherty rock with opaque bands of color often embedded in a lighter 'kaolin' matrix.