"Moqui marbles" are small rock balls that cover areas of whiter Navajo Sandstone in many parts of Grand Staircase-Escalante...

Moqui Marbles

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah | 2018

"Moqui marbles" are small rock balls that cover areas of whiter Navajo Sandstone in many parts of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. These balls are composed of hard iron oxide outer rings surrounding a softer sandstone core and were formed underground around 2-5 million years ago when iron materials precipitated from flowing groundwater. Red sandstone gets its color from iron oxide that coats the sand grains; in white sandstone the iron oxide was dissolved by certain hydrocarbons or acids flowing through the sandstone, which then precipitated in certain spots forming the marbles. Once the softer sandstone eroded over the eons, the harder marbles were left on the surface.

According to Hopi legend, the Hopi ancestors' spirits return to Earth at night to play marble games and leave them there in the mornings to reassure their relatives that they are happy and content.

Similar but smaller concretions called "Martian blueberries" were discovered on Mars in 2004 by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, providing some of the first evidence for water in Mars' ancient past. Just like in Escalante, the "blueberries" were found scattered on the ground and embedded in rock outcroppings.

Read more about Moqui marbles here. Photo © copyright by Jack Brauer.

Glossy Metal Print (Ready to Hang)

Glossy Metal Print (Ready to Hang)
  • My most popular display style!
  • Innovative dye sublimation printing technique infused into a ChromaLuxe aluminum panel.
  • Ultra glossy surface displays extraordinary depth of imagery with vivid colors and deep, dark blacks.
  • The aluminum is mounted on a 1/8" dibond backer for significantly increased rigidity and durability.
  • With a recessed hanging mount, the print appears to float 3/4" off the wall.
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Please allow 2 weeks for production and delivery.

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ArtBoard Matte Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)

ArtBoard Matte Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)
  • This fine art print has a lovely matte finish with a slightly softer and more natural image character compared to the glossy prints.
  • Matte surface laminate completely eliminates all reflection and glare.
  • Excellent choice for huge prints in bright rooms with large windows.
  • Print is mounted on a lightweight, stiff, and sturdy dibond backer that floats 3/4" off the wall.
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Please allow 2 weeks for production and delivery.

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Acrylic-Glass Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)

Acrylic-Glass Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)
  • The absolute premier glossy print display style available! For those who desire the best of the best.
  • Lumachrome® fine art print features a metallic sheen giving the colors a radiant luminosity.
  • Trulife® acrylic glass is more scratch-resistant and reduces reflectivity compared to normal acrylic glass.
  • With a recessed hanging mount, the print appears to float 3/4" off the wall.
  • An attractive modern and minimal alternative to traditional glass-framed prints. (more info)

Please allow 2-3 weeks for production and delivery.

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Fine Art Print (Loose Print for Framing)

Fine Art Print (Loose Print for Framing)
  • This is the option if you want a fine art paper print to have matted and framed behind glass.
  • Heavyweight Canson Infinity Platine Fibre Rag fine art paper with a finely textured satin semi-gloss surface
  • The prints have a white border around the image for easy matting and framing.
  • Outstanding color accuracy, vibrancy and detail.
  • High archival ratings will endure for many decades without fading.
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The loose print is delivered without mounting or framing, so you'll need to handle it with care and take it to a local framer to have it matted and framed as you'd like.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for production and delivery.

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* Free shipping for all U.S. orders!

** Free shipping for all international Acrylic or Loose Print orders! (more info)


All prints are custom made upon ordering. Production and delivery timeframes range from 2-3 weeks, depending on the display option chosen. Specific timeframes are listed above for each display option.