Chalcedony ps. After fossil sponges (2016 find)

Item Description

Bizarre looking and fascinating 360-degree fossil pseudmorphs make for an excellent and sculptural 2-piece deal from the 2016 finds in Morocco. Three-toned, translucent, dark brown, light brown and whitish chalcedony has replaced striking globular, bubbly colonial sponges. The darker brown chalcedony is restricted to the cores of sponge globules and adds a striking visual aspect to the pieces. Both pieces are pristine. 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.