CompuServe Thread

I'll tell you everything I know about "Zebra Rock:" It has been placed at 600 million years in the Upper Proterozic era or Pre-Cambrian period. The only known deposits in the world have been discovered in the East Kimberly region of Western Australia. It consists of a fine grained silceous argilite (indurated siltstone or clay stone) with regular, rhythmic patters of dark red bands (or spots) contrasting sharply with a light (beige) background. It is unknown how the design was formed but the dark bands contain ferric oxide. I have shown a few samples that I have to geologists but they have not produced any explaination of it's origin. Australians believe the organic; animal-like patterns typifies the spirit of the land and aborigionals believe it brings good luck. The samples I have are hard (like marble) and very fine, non-porous, and take a beautiful luster when polished. I also have an old label that came with a specimen that lists the collecting locality as "Kunumurra – Far N.E. section of Western Australia." I bought a couple specimens in Adelaide Australia but the shop owner did not know where they came from, or how long ago they were collected, and didn't know where to get anymore. That is all the information I have. I would appreciate it if you would pass it along to your contacts in W.Australia and see what turns up. I would like to acquire additional samples and a few large sections if possible Thanks, Mark Miller PO Box 52261 Philadelphia PA 19115-7261 FAX 215-464-3561