Stone of the Month: December 2013 "Worn But Not Gone" Gobi Desert Stone
This attractive stone from the Gobi Desert is reminiscent of an ancient, strongly weathered mountain in this desert. Others may experience a sense of motion from the undulating layers of stone. It has been shaped by thousands of years of exposure to blowing sand-filled winds. This stone is likely composed of layers of silica dioxide with impurities such as iron oxides providing its color. The shiny finish results from years of sand naturally abrading and polishing the surface. It is shown here without a base to fully illustrate the many layers comprising this stone and to emphasize that collectors should focus first on the qualities of the stone before considering the a base or tray. This stone was purchased in the Yinchuan Stone Market in 2004. Stones like this are now hard to find in Gobi Desert marketplaces. It is about 5 cm high, 17.8 cm wide, and 7.6 cm deep.
