Giant Mookaite Sphere (Windalia Radiolarite) – Australia | 19cm Museum Specimen

The Story: A Fossilized Inland Sea

This is not merely a crystal; it is a monumental artifact of the Cretaceous period. Weighing in at an impressive 9.56 kg (21.08 lbs) with a diameter of 19 cm (7.5 in), this sphere represents a geological event known as the "Glass Rain."

Formed over 100 million years ago in an ancient inland sea that covered Western Australia, this sphere is composed of Windalia Radiolarite—the fossilized silica skeletons of billions of single-celled organisms. Finding a block of this material stable enough to be shaped into a sphere of this magnitude is a rarity in the lapidary world. It is a stunning duality of violet porcelain and golden breccia, capturing the exact moment the ancient seabeds dried and cracked eons ago.

Geological Overview

• The Material (Windalia Radiolarite): While commonly called "Mookaite Jasper," this stone is scientifically classified as Radiolarite. It is a sedimentary rock formed from the skeletal remains of Radiolaria (microscopic protozoa) that rained down to the ocean floor as the inland sea evaporated.
• The Formation: As the sea dried, the silica-rich mud cracked. Mineral-rich waters then flooded these fissures, infusing the sediment with iron (creating the yellows and reds) and manganese (creating the purples).
• Brecciated Structure: The yellow and cream section of this sphere displays true brecciation—a natural mosaic where the drying mud shattered and was "healed" by a second influx of silica.

Aesthetic Appeal

This sphere offers two distinct visual experiences, acting as two sculptures in one:

• The Porcelain Side: One hemisphere is dominated by smooth, high-gloss hues of plum, lavender, and burgundy. This area represents the purest concentration of radiolaria skeletons, hardened into a chert-like porcelain.
• The Brecciated Side: Rotate the sphere to reveal a massive, dramatic patch of mustard yellow and soft cream. Here, the "shattered" history of the stone is visible, with intricate veins of purple cutting through the golden sediment.

Metaphysical Properties

Ageless Spirit • Vitality • Gut Instinct

Mookaite is the stone of the "Here and Now." It carries the ancient, grounding vibration of the Australian Earth. Energetically, it is used to slow down the aging of the spirit, encouraging flexibility, curiosity, and a sense of adventure regardless of one's physical age. Connected to the Solar Plexus and Root Chakras, it is a powerful tool for decision-making, helping one discern the right path through "gut feeling" rather than over-analysis.

Rarity & Collectibility

Lapidary Feat: Mookaite is naturally brittle and prone to fracture. Creating a perfect 19cm sphere requires a master cutter and an exceptionally stable rough block. Most material of this size would shatter during the grinding process.
Provenance: Sourced directly from the Kennedy Ranges (Mooka Station), Western Australia.

Collector’s & Display Notes

• Display: Due to the weight (nearly 10kg), this piece requires a reinforced heavy-duty stand.
• Placement: Ideal for a low coffee table, executive desk, or a lighted pedestal where it can be rotated. It commands the space and anchors a room.
• Condition: Grade AA. As a massive natural sedimentary stone, minor surface vugs, natural hairlines, or "dry" spots in the yellow breccia are inherent to the material and are not considered damage.

Specifications

• Weight: 9.56 kg (approx. 21.08 lbs)
• Diameter: 19 cm (approx. 7.5 inches)
• Mineral Type: Windalia Radiolarite (Fossiliferous Sediment)
• Origin: Kennedy Ranges, Western Australia
• Treatment: None. Natural Polish.