Color:  Monterey Chert can range from a chert to a opalitic cherty shale or chalcedony ranging from a dark brown to a black.  Chalcedony may be banded with a dark brown and a lighter brown to an almost white.

Texture: Fine grain

Luster: Vitreous

Translucency:  Ranges from a opaque chert to a semi translucent chalcedony

Silica Fabrics / Fossils:

Patina:

Heat Treatment: 

Knapping: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Monterey Chert is associated with the Monterey Formation of California.  It can range from a true limestone chert with beds ranging from 1 inch to several inched to a cherty opalitic laminated shale or chalcedony with a higher silica content.  Primary outcroppings occur in Claremont Canyon and the ocean cliffs northwest of Pismo and the shale outcrops in Chico Martinez Creek, Bixby Canyon, and Ana Nuevo Point..