Color:  Ptarmigan Chert occurs in colors of pink, red, orange, tan yellow, brown, gray and white.  Mottling of colors may be present or solid reds, browns, and whites also occur.  Speckle or inclusions of yellow and brown may also be present.

Texture:  Fine grain

Luster: Waxy to viterious

Translucency: Opaque to semi-translucent

Silica Fabrics / Fossils: Sponge spicules, brachiopods, and gastropods

Patina:

Heat Treatment: 

Knapping: 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Ptarmigan Chert is associated with the Ptarmigan Chert Member of the Manitou Limestone Formation of Colorado resting on the Sawatch Quartzite Formation.  Primarily occurring as nodules, lenses, and beds along Missouri Gulch in Douglas County, above the narrows of Williams Canyon north of Manitou in El Paso County,  Horseshoe Mountain, Lake and Park counties, the east and west sides of Front Range, the London fault region of Mosquito Range in Park County, the Sawatch Range in Otero County, the Blue River region of Summit County, White River Plateau, and the Canyon City Embayment of El Paso County, Gnat Canyon, Fremont Canyon, and Phantom Canyon in Fremont County.  High chalcedonic quality material also occurs in Deadmans Canyon, El Paso County, Colorado.