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Zebra rock or Zebra stone is a distinctive reddish-brown and white banded claystone from the Ord River area of Western Australia where it forms discontinuous lenses within a Late Proterozoic shale sequence. Most occurrences are now submerged beneath the dam waters of Lake Argyle. Since its discovery in 1924, it has been used widely as an ornamental stone. It is composed of small particles of quartz, white mica, clay minerals, hematite and alunite. The striking colour banding was probably formed after the original sediments were deposited by the rhythmic precipitation of hematite-rich bands during alteration of the rock in a highly oxidising environment.
The deposit is 600 million years old, placing it in the Upper Proterozoic era or Pre-Cambrian period. It has a very fine texture, like that of unglazed porcelain. The dark spots have the same texture as the light areas, and are colored by Hematite (iron oxide). The formation of the spots is mysterious, but is clearly the result of a three-dimensional reaction-diffusion type instability. Other, more exotic explanations have been proposed.
This has been sold as Stromatolite in the past.. however that information was incorrect. Current data proves it is NOT stromatolite. If you have purchased this and want to return it.. just let me know.
Last Modified 08/27/2008
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(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western AustraliaDescription: These specimens have been cut and polished to bring out the exquisite beauty that they possess. Very interesting specimens! This one measures approx. 1 5/8" x 4 5/8"
Australia Zebra Stone4 Price $25.00
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(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western AustraliaDescription: These specimens have been cut and polished to bring out the exquisite beauty that they possess. Very interesting specimens! This one measures approx. 2" x 3 7/8"
Australia Zebra Stone5 Price $25.00
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(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western AustraliaDescription: These specimens have been cut and polished to bring out the exquisite beauty that they possess. Very interesting specimens! This one measures approx. 2 3/8" x 3 3/4"
Australia Zebra Stone8 Price $25.00
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(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western AustraliaDescription: These specimens have been cut and polished to bring out the exquisite beauty that they possess. Very interesting specimens! This one measures approx. 2 1/2" x 3.5"
Australia Zebra Stone11 Price $25.00
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Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western Australia
Australia Zebra Stone 20 Price $25.00
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Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western Australia
Australia Zebra Stone 24 Price $25.00
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Name: Cooperia tubiformisGeologic Age: PreCambrianStratigraphic Detail: Kimberley Range (Ord River)Location: Kunnurra, Western Australia
Australia Zebra Stone 26 Price $25.00