Chalcedony ps. After fossil sponge (2016 find)

Bu Craa, Laayoune Province, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region, Morocco
Small Cabinet, 6.5 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm
Start Time: 07/12/2018 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 07/19/2018 6:31:51 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

A whimsical looking pseduomorph from recent finds in Morocco. Two-toned, translucent, brown and whitish chalcedony has replaced a sculptural globular colonial sponge. The darker brown chalcedony is restricted to the top of one side with the smaller sponges and adds a striking visual aspect to this piece. Originally marketed in Europe as being from Smara, Western Sahara, these are actually from these obscure open-pit phosphate mines, that have also produced snow-white quartz geodes (MINDAT). The deposits are Upper Cretaceous - Eocene age, 100-34 MYA.

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