sedimentary

Worked flint (chert) flake or tool

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly called flint or chert

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; opaque tan, gray, and reddish-brown with waxy to dull luster. Very fine-grained cryptocrystalline quartz lacks visible crystals and has conchoidal fracture; the sharp flaked edges and percussion scars indicate intentional knapping.

Identified August 30, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Worked flint (chert) flake or tool
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), commonly called flint or chert
Category: sedimentary
Identified: August 30, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for an unattributed worked flint; authenticated prehistoric artifacts may range from $50 to several hundred dollars or more, depending on rarity and legal provenance.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Flint forms when silica replaces carbonate sediment, commonly in Cretaceous chalk or limestone, over geological timescales. This piece was later human-worked, likely by pressure or percussion flaking; its exact archaeological age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Historically used for cutting tools, spearheads, scrapers, and fire-starting; today it is mainly collected as an archaeological or lithic specimen. Value depends strongly on provenance, workmanship, and authenticity.

Geological facts

The curved ripples and stepped scars are characteristic of conchoidal fracture. The central ridges and deliberately shaped margins suggest a flake or small tool rather than a naturally broken stone.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy sharp fracture, uniform microtexture, and bulb-of-percussion or flake-scar patterns; common sources include England, France, Denmark, and North American chalk regions. Avoid cleaning or altering possible artifacts, and seek archaeological evaluation if provenance is known.