Mookaite

Quartz

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: February 2022
Mookaite Polished Mookaite Jewelry

Mookaite is a silica-rich porcelanite (a natural ceramic) that is mined around Mooka Creek in the Kennedy Ranges in Australia. The name comes from the Aboriginal word "mooka" that translates to "running waters". A new discovery of pink mookaite was found in 2011 at the Binthalya prospect.

General Information

Common Name
Mookaite
Species
Quartz
Transparency
Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Optic Character
NA
Optic Sign
NA
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
6-6.5
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Dull
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
silicified porcelanite
Crystal System
NA
Chemistry Classification
Rock

Mookaite Colors

  • Brown Mookaite
    Brown
  • Multi-color Mookaite
    Multi-color
  • Pink Mookaite
    Pink
  • Purple Mookaite
    Purple
  • Red Mookaite
    Red
  • Yellow Mookaite
    Yellow

Alternate Names

Moukaite

Countries of Origin

Unknown; Australia

History

Warm, earthy colors characterize this unusual offering from Down Under. A natural ceramic, mookaite is as richly varied as the country in which it is found. The distinctive coloring which makes it so appealing comes from the weathering of the rock deposit in which its found. You may even notice some textural elements that add to its uniqueness in the stone world.

Care

Normal Care

More About Mookaite

Mookaite is named after Mooka Creek where it is mined. “Mooka” is the aboriginal word for running waters and it is homage to the freshwater springs that can be found in Mooka Creek.