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This is a tall, striking 348-gram polished specimen of rhyolitic jasper from the legendary Pilot Knob in Iron County, Missouri. The polished face showcases the deep, saturated reds characteristic of the region\'s ancient volcanic silicates, beautifully contrasted against dark, metallic-black inclusions. Because this material was forged in the heart of Missouri\'s historic iron district, the matrix contains enough disseminated iron ore to make the entire specimen lightly magnetic—a fantastic geological trait that ties it directly to its Precambrian dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\">Pilot Knob Missouri, Iron County MO, rhyolitic jasper, red jasper, magnetic iron ore, St. Francois Mountains geology, Precambrian rock, historic Midwest mining, polished display specimen, KeepsCache, lapidary polished face, cut base mineral, hydrothermal jasper, volcanic silica.
To turn this raw material into a premium display piece, the base was cleanly cut so the impressive 4.75-inch tall stone stands perfectly upright on its own. The primary face was then taken to the lapidary wheel and brought to a high polish, illuminating the fiery red jasper and the subtle flash of the iron inclusions. The back and sides were left completely natural, preserving the rugged, raw texture of the St. Francois Mountains.
Dimensions: 4.75\" x 2.5\" x 1.5\"
Weight: 348 grams
Provenance: Pilot Knob, Iron County, Missouri
The History: Pilot Knob & The St. Francois Mountains
Pilot Knob is a towering Proterozoic volcanic peak that contains one of the most historically vital iron ore deposits in the American Midwest. Over 1.4 billion years ago, explosive volcanic events and caldera collapses formed the native rhyolitic rock. Subsequently, intense hydrothermal activity injected heavy iron ores into the fractured rock, creating a complex association of silica and magnetic iron.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, this area was heavily mined to supply the furnaces that built early American infrastructure. Today, the historic Pilot Knob site is closed to collecting, making verified, beautifully polished pieces of this local rhyolitic jasper highly sought after by regional geology collectors.
