Dalmatian Stone

Dalmatian stone is a trade name given to an unusual spotted stone which is not tremendously valuable, but it is widely used as an inexpensive decorative stone, whether it is carved, dyed, or sold tumbled.

It is often sold polished and/or dyed, but we do have access to some rough pieces too.

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Information about Dalmatian Stone

Appearance

A contrasting beige and black spotted rock named after the Dalmatian dog breed, famed for its spots.

Uses and History

Purely used as a decorative stone as far as I can tell. Often sold cut and polished, although not often cut en cabochon for jewellery usage. Often tumbled, cut into ‘metaphysical’ items like eggs, pyramids, etc.

Became popular in the late 20th century, early 21st, I cannot find any reference to the material being used for anything before then.

Found in Ahumada Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Frequently referred to as ‘Dalmatian Jasper’, but this is not accurate. Admittedly, Dalmatian stone itself is a trade name rather than a mineral name, but this is in no way a jasper.

 

Mineralogy

Chemistry
Beige base is primarily feldspar, with the black spots being arfvedsonite.
Colours and Variations
Various, as it accepts dye readily.
Streak
Luster
Dull, earthy
Transparency
Opaque
Fracture
Crystal habit
N/A – aggregate, not a crystal.
Mohs hardness
Various
Fluorescence
Specific Gravity
Various
Easiest testing method

Hazards and Warnings

Dyed specimens may leach dye of unknown quality.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

 

Translations

English trade name, which may not translate well.

Arabic:

Hindi:

Portuguese:

  • Pedra Dálmata

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

  • Dalmatian Stone

Italian:

  • Pietra Dalmata

Russian:

  • Далматинский камень

French:

  • Pierre dalmatienne

Japanese:

  • ダルメシアンストーン

Spanish:

  • Piedra dálmata

German:

  • Dalmatinerstein

Korean:

  • 달마시안 스톤

Thai:

  • หินดัลเมเชียน

Gujurati:

Mandarin Chinese:

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links

  • https://www.mindat.org/min-52766.html
  • https://rocktumbler.com/blog/what-is-dalmatian-stone-it-is-not-a-jasper/