What is chert stone?

Chert is a sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz, the mineral form of silicon dioxide (SiO2). It occurs as nodules, concretionary ... A variety of metamorphosed chert known as "novaculite" has a porous, even texture that makes it useful as a sharpening stone. read more

When a chert stone is struck against an iron-bearing surface sparks result. This makes chert an excellent tool for starting fires, and both flint and common chert were used in various types of fire-starting tools, such as tinderboxes, throughout history. read more

Chert is a rocky form of quartz-like stone substrate with fossilized inclusions. The quartz-based substrate is often microcrystalline and/or cryptocrystalline and/or microfibrous in structure. It can be found in a variety of colours depending on the substrate structure. read more

Chert is a very hard material that produces a spark when it is struck against steel. The heat from this spark can be used to start fires. A "flintlock" is an early firearm in which a charge of gunpowder is ignited by a flint hammer striking a metal plate (see photo). read more