Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 763

Corsi 763, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 763  
Name and quarry location: Sicilian jasper, diaspro di Adrano, from Adragno, near Sambuca, Trapani, Sicily, Italy  
Geological description: Yellow-brown jaspery areas are cemented by opague white or colourless chalcedony, agate-banded in place. Cavities are infilled with colourless quartz crystals. Fractures crossing specimen are filled with agate. Larger brown patches are filler.  
Comments: Adragno was a small village some 20 miles from Mazara that was severely damaged by earthquakes in 1663, 1742 and 1814 according to Rampoldi (1832). Tata (1772) describes a dark green 'agata' with white crystalline patches: ' si trova in Adragno Feudo del Sig. Principe di Camporeale. He goes on to say it is near Sambuca, gives the latitude and longitude, and the etymology of the name.  
References: Jervis (1881) 193-318; Jervis (1889) 449-482; Montana & Briuccia (1998); Price (2007) 246-247; Rampoldi (1832) vol.1, 31; Schmidt (2002); Tata (1772) 31  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 14. Quartz and its varieties; Species 6. Jasper; ii. Italian jaspers  
Corsi's text: 188.16 Diaspro di Adragno... di Sicilia  

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