Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

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view of stone 781

Corsi 781, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 781  
Name and quarry location: Sicilian jasper, diaspro di Moardo, from Monte Moardo, Altofonte, Palermo, Sicily, Italy  
Geological description: Silicified polymict limestone breccia, of fractured clasts with a drusy overgrowth of white quartz crystals in turn coated with agate. Matrix is orange iron-stained or white granular quartz. Note relic microfauna.  
Comments: This striking siliceous breccia comes from Monte Moarda, south of Monreale. Borch refers to various jaspers from Moarda (Montana, 1998; 34-35), and Tata (1772) says Moardo is near to Parco (now Altofonte).  
References: Jervis (1881) 193-318; Jervis (1889) 449-482; Montana & Briuccia (1998) 34-35; Price (2007) 246-247; Schmidt (2002); Tata (1772) 25  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 14. Quartz and its varieties; Species 6. Jasper; ii. Italian jaspers  
Corsi's text: 190.34 Diaspro di Moardo... di Sicilia  

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