POLISH FLINT

Flint has often been used throughout history and is thought to be as old as 160 million years.

- BY BEN KANIUTH

It was a prime natural resource for tool manufacturing in the past. However, in a few deposits near the city of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a type of flint that has a banded, layered appearance was found. As named by its locale, Polish flint, also known as striped or banded flint, has since become a valuable addition to any lapidary artist's arsenal for its stunning layered, often concentric banding formed by precipitated silica. This material is ideal for all types of jewelry due to its exceptional Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7 and its interchanging cream and brown coloring.

WHERE TO FIND POLISH FLINT

Finding Polish flint in the marketplace online or at shows can be tricky. Typically, much of what you'll find is already slabbed. For many novices, it may be wise to purchase slabs instead of rough material. This way, you can avoid the trouble of slicing into some hard material, and you can get a better idea of what you're buying. Additionally, purchasing slabs will also show any fractures, allowing you to visualize how to design around them.