mineral

Mookaite Jasper

Silicon Dioxide with Iron Oxide impurities (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Red, yellow, mustard, burgundy, white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 6
Color: Red, yellow, mustard, burgundy, white
Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed as a silicified radiolarian ooze during the Cretaceous period (about 110-115 million years ago) in shallow marine beds, where organic silica from radiolarian skeletons precipitated and mixed with clay minerals and iron oxides.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry (cabochons, beads, pendants), ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, and as a popular collectible gemstone.

Geological facts

Mookaite is named after Mooka Creek in Western Australia, where it is uniquely found. 'Mooka' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'running waters'. It exhibits striking swirling patterns of red and yellow due to iron inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive combination of vibrant yellow, earthy red, and mauve colors, smooth polish, and microcrystalline quartz hardness. Found exclusively in the Kennedy Ranges near Carnarvon, Western Australia.

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