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.
ArtBoard Matte Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)
- My personal favorite print style!
- A fine art paper print is mounted on a lightweight and sturdy dibond backer that floats 3/4" off the wall.
- The print has ultra sharp image detail with a beautiful natural image characteristic.
- The smooth satin/matte surface laminate protects the print and completely eliminates all reflection and glare!
- Excellent choice for huge prints in bright rooms with large windows.
- (more info)
Please allow 2-3 weeks for production and delivery.
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 compared to standard metal prints.
- With a recessed hanging mount, the print appears to float 3/4" off the wall.
- (more info)
Please allow 2 weeks for production and delivery.
Acrylic-Glass Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang)
- The premier glossy print display style, with unsurpassed image clarity and vibrance.
- A fine art ink print is face mounted behind Trulife® acrylic glass for scratch-resistance and significantly reduced 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.
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.
- (more info)
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 1-2 weeks for production and delivery.
Not sure which display option to order? This might help.
* 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 about 1-2 weeks, depending on the display option chosen. Specific timeframes are listed above for each display option.