Zebra Stone
Quartz with Basalt/Amphibolite inclusions · Decorative Stone / Mineral Specimen
Crystal System
Trigonal (Quartz) / Monoclinic (Amphibole); massive and vein habit
Mineral Group
Silicates (Tectosilicates and Inosilicates mix)
Chemical Formula
SiO2 (Quartz) + (Ca,Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2 (Amphibole/Basalt matrix)
Formation Process
Hydrothermal mineralization where silica fills fractures in dark volcanic or metamorphic host rock
About This Crystal
A high-contrast rock featuring white milky quartz veins interlaced with a dark, fine-grained black or dark grey matrix, often showing a striped or mottled pattern
Physical Characteristics
White to dark grey/black; white streak; no cleavage in massive form; conchoidal to uneven fracture; specific gravity 2.6-2.8; non-fluorescent
Optical Properties
Opaque to translucent; vitreous to dull luster; refractive index approx. 1.54-1.55 (quartz component)
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Western Australia (Kimberley region), Brazil, and parts of India
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness 6.5 to 7; high toughness; very stable and suitable for decorative use
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water; avoid harsh acids; store separately to prevent scratching softer stones; generally lightfast
Rarity & Value
Common; low to moderate value; sold mostly as tumbled stones, spheres, or rough landscape specimens; rarely treated
Special Characteristics
Striking high-contrast pattern resembling zebra stripes; textural contrast between crystalline quartz and granular matrix
Lore & History
Historically used by Aboriginal Australians for decorative purposes; traditionally associated with grounding, balance, and the 'yin-yang' of life in modern folklore