Color:  Excello Chert is ranges from a dark bluish black to black.  Chalcedony veins are commonly seen through the material.

Texture: Fine grain

Luster: Glossy to vitreous

Silica Fabrics / Fossils:

Patina:

Heat Treatment: 

Knapping: 

Notes:  Excello Chert and Pitkin Chert are commonly confused for each other. Pitkin commonly has white fossil specks and orangish vugs not seen in Excello Chert.  Excello Chert commonly has veins of chalcedony not seen in Pitkin Chert.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Excello Chert is associated with the Excello Formation of Iowa and Missouri.  Primary outcroppings occur along the Des Moines River of Northeastern Missouri and found as nodules along Whetstone Creek in northwestern Missouri.