Kambaba Stone: How it Transformed Earth's Atmosphere
Did you know that kambaba jasper is more than just a stone used to make handmade jewelry? It’s actually the remains of ancient organisms responsible for the atmosphere as we know it.
During Earth’s history, the atmosphere was very different from what we know today. The early atmosphere was composed primarily of nitrogen and carbon dioxide and was void of free oxygen needed to support life. Approximately 3.6 billion years ago, cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, began forming algal mat layers in saltwater lagoon environments. These bacterial mats grew on top of one another while producing a limestone-type byproduct resulting in mounds of algal limestone known as stromatolites, which, when fossilized, are Kambaba stone. For this reason, Kambaba Jasper is sometimes also referred to as Green Stromatolite Stone.
Stromatolites on a laguna beach at low tide.
The appearance of cyanobacteria and stromatolites completely transformed the Earth’s atmosphere as this was the first photosynthetic organism capable of fixing carbon dioxide gas into oxygen using sunlight - laying the foundation and building blocks for life as we know it today. Cyanobacterial stromatolites can be observed at present in lagoons of Australia and New Zealand.
Stromatolites observed in Western Australia.
So the next time you put on your handmade jewelry crafted with Kambaba Jasper Stone beads, remember that you are wearing a fossil from one of the most important evolutions of Earth's history.
Comments on this post (18)
Thank you for the fascinating information. I had no idea.
— Judith
I have loved the look of this stone for years but never knew this! Thank you so much for the information! I can’t wait to share this with my customers and to read more of your articles!
— Nancy Nealy Nelson
Fascinating article. Who doesn’t love Jasper? I will definitely be looking to use these in an upcoming project.
— Carol
Awesome information! Wow!
— Cheryl
Fascinating and well written article! Keep them coming! I will order some of these jaspers!
— Jill Rock
Thank you so much for furthering our education about these beautiful stones! I’ll definitely be passing this along to my customers.
— Nancy Nelson
Very interesting. I love jaspers.. love new discoveries also.
I’m gonna get some. 😁👍
— Loreli
Very cool and interesting. Thanks for the information 😀
— Cathy