Touchonite (Chalcedony) (ex Jim Houran Collection)

Item Description

Touchonite is a local term that is used for Chalcedony stones from Stirling Brook (Carnelian Creek), Warren Township, New Jersey. The material got its name for Leon Touchon, gas station, general store and bar and grill owner in Warren Township. This term is now a synonym for Pietersite (named after Sid Pieters in 1962), and both of these materials are a mixture of Chalcedony / Carnelian and Riebeckite. It's important to note that neither Touchonite nor Pietersite are valid names for this material, but you'll often find in the gem world that "trade names" end up getting used over their scientific names. This particular stone features no Riebeckite, so it's pure Chalcedony. The gem has an "Oval" Cabochon cut with a mixture of yellow and soft golden hues. A very attractive example of this classic material. From the collection of Dr. James "Jim" Houran, noted thumbnail mineral collector, gemstone collector and a speaker at our annual Dallas Mineral Symposium. Jim is the Managing Director of AETHOS Consulting Group. He's a 25-year veteran in applied psychological research and a published expert on peak performance, online testing and interpersonal and organizational compatibility. He has authored over 150 articles, and his award-winning work has been profiled by a myriad of media outlets and programs including the Discovery Channel, A&E, BBC, National Geographic, NBC’s Today Show, USA Today, New Scientist, Psychology Today and Forbes.com.