Snakeskin Stone (fossilized palate of wrasse)

Item Description

Earlier this year, we were fortunate enough to get our hands on some of these beautiful stones from a good friend in Indonesia. A small parcel was available, and we haven't seen more in the subsequent months. This is one of those items that falls into multiple categories, as it's technically a fossil, but it's also a lapidary item, and many would consider it to be a "gem" or perhaps a "stone". With that said, it's completely unique material as far as we know, and we haven't seen anything else like it. The material is nicknamed Snakeskin Stone for its obvious reasons, but the pattern has nothing to do with a reptile. This "Oval Cabochon" cut stone is actually a fossil replacement of the palate of the wrasse fish. It's impossible to know specifically what kind of wrasse created these stones, as modern wrasse (Labridae) vary up to nearly 500 species and range from about 5 cm (2 inches) to 2 meters (6.5 feet) or more in length. The fossils are polished to create these beautiful stones, which are suitable to wear in jewelry, or add to your collection. Don't miss out on this interesting and eye-catching gem, as we don't know when or if we will have more in the future.