Between 50 and 70 million years ago, around the time dinosaurs went extinct, these funky mud balls called Septarian Nodules (aka Dragon Eggs) were born! Today they are appreciated by many a lapadarist and rock collector. In fact, Joel and Angela paid a visit to Joe’s Rock Shop in Orderville, Utah last summer, and they were given permission to camp and rockhound on their claim. It was a hoot! Click here to see their blog (scroll about 3/4 down for the part about nodules.)
The name Septarian comes from the Latin word septum, which means partition(s) between cavities. Hence, the name Septarian nodule refers to the distinguishable cracks, angular spaces and jagged edges that formed within the mud ball.
Septarian nodules are a unique form of concretion that filled in with minerals, which then formed into crystals. They are most commonly found as small as 1 inch, and as large as 1 foot wide.