I really like this rock when I first saw several samples in Tucson at the Gem and Mineral show. The yellow, jagged composition with the inner details in the cracks attracted me to the Brecciated Mookaite. I had to find out more and get them photographed!

Technically, this is Radiolarite sedimentary rock that is composed of the microscopic remains of radiolarians which were marine layered rocks. Radiolarites are very brittle rocks and hard to split. They break conchoidally with sharp edges. During weathering they decompose into small, rectangular pieces. The colors range from light (whitish) yellow all the way to dark (black) via red, green and brown hues. This is why they are called “ Brecciated“ and they come from the “Mooka” station in the Kennedy Ranges about 100 miles inland from the Australian coastal town of Carnarvon.

We have produced several large prints of these and made fabric for fashion that are quite intriguing to look at.