What Does Septarian Look Like

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Septarian is considered to be a limestone rock and not a mineral.  This rock is highly collectible due to its unique identifiable look and has earned the names of “Dragon Stone” or “Dragon Egg”.  

The uniqueness of septarian comes from the crystallization of calcite into the very distinguishable limestone cracks and crevices.  Some of the most highly valued septarian will form larger crystals within those cracks or crevices. 

I have seen some 8 to 10 lb. specimens of septarian with larger and very colorful yellow crystals run upwards of several hundred dollars!

There are some different varieties of septarian that are somewhat unique in their differences.  We will get into those a little later.  Even still though, the look of septarian is undeniably recognizable though those different varieties.

Key Looking Characteristics of Septarian

When identifying septarian rock, it is really not too difficult a task.  This rock is very unique and once you have seen septarian, you may likely never forget what it is.  Especially if one of the associated nicknames such as “Dragon Stone” sticks in your head as well.  You can visually identify septarian by the following looks it will have:

  • It has very distinguished cracking:  The crack lines within septarian rock will look like blood vessel veins separating the limestone throughout the rock.  This is until those cracks get to some larger openings where crystals can form.
  • It is mostly limestone rock:  Between cracks within the rock is limestone.  The colors of this limestone can vary in color.  Light to dark grays and browns are the common color for the limestone.
  • Its cracks can lead to openings:  Often with many samples of septarian, a great identifying feature is that the cracks within the rock will lead to larger openings where crystals have formed.
  • It comes as nodules:  As far as I know, most septarian is in nodule or roundish like form.  These roundish blobs can be several tons in weight or much smaller. 
  • Crystals within larger openings:  With septarian, those larger openings and cracks will often contain very small to larger crystals.

Different Looking Septarian Varieties

Believe it or not, there are actually a few different varieties of septarian rock.  In these varieties there is always that same identifying look with its cracks and openings.  However, the varieties are often identified by the actual colors of the limestone and crystals.  Some different looking septarian varieties will include:

  • Yellow Calcite Septarian Nodule:  These are a common and favorite for rock and mineral collectors.  This variety has a geode type look about it.  It will contain spider vein cracks within the rock, but inevitably at the center will be an opening with yellowish calcite crystals.   
  • Black Septarian:  This form of septarian has a darker limestone with fairly black cracks throughout.  Very small and uniform crystals, like a silky black sheet of crystals, form within larger cracks and openings.  This type of septarian can be found in Madagascar and is often cut into egg shapes.
  • Septarian with Ammonite:  This rare form of septarian has an inclusion of ammonite within its contents.  Ammonite is a fossilized type of spiral shell.
  • White Veined Septarian:  This is as its name implies, the cracks of the septarian are very white in color.  This septarian comes as a nodule where there is a distinguished brownish outside barrier and the contents within are spidery white veins with black limestone.  This type of septarian exists in Morocco, and I suppose you could call it Morocco septarian.

There may be a couple of other varieties of septarian I may have missed.  If so, then they may not be quite as popular.  One such version, as I think about it, appears in a reddish to brownish type of limestone, of which I could not find an identifying name for it.

By far the most popular type of septarian is the nodule gray limestone, with brown cracks, and openings that show off some nice yellow crystals.  

Septarian Nodule Yellow Calcite: This is a specimen of septarian obtained in Utah, USA. It expresses the yellow crystals of calcite often found with this variety.

The Different Look Between Septarian and Serpentine

Septarian and serpentine do not look like each other whatsoever.  Identifying these two from each other is not too difficult of a task.  Some visual looking differences between septarian and serpentine are:

  • Septarian is not green like serpentine:  The rock serpentine is often in different hues of green, typically a lighter green.  Septarian is not green at all.
  • Septarian has definable cracks:  There may be some slight cracks and crevices within serpentine, but nothing like the very visible spider vein cracks you see in septarian.
  • Septarian is not dangerous like some serpentine. There are some fibrous forms of serpentine that can be quite dangerous in asbestos content.  Septarian does not come in a fibrous form and is not dangerous to hold and breathe around.
  • Septarian is in nodule form and serpentine is not:  Septarian is known to be in nodule type form, you will not see serpentine in this type of form.

Some of the safe serpentine to hold will be a very nice light green and will have a nice smooth surface.  The differences between these two rocks are quite stark, and I can imagine that once you see both, you would never be confused again.

For a quick reference to more information about serpentine, you can visit my article “All About Serpentine”. 

Conclusion

Septarian is so unique that I can’t imagine anyone seeing the rock and ever confusing it with anything else.  It’s very identifying cracks, colors, and crystals make this rock very popular and easy to identify.

If you are interested in some additional information on septarian, what it is, its colors, worth, uses, and formation, visit my article here “All About Septarian”

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