Color:  Blue Gray Fort Payne chert is opaque and ranges in color from opaque gray to bluish gray, or black.  Tan patches may be present  White fossil specks are usually present.

Texture: Medium to fine grain

Luster: Low luster on the grays with higher luster on the blues.

Translucency:  Opaque to slightly translucent

Silica Fabrics / Fossils: Small quality

Patina:

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment produces shades of pink but does not tend to change the, luster, or workability of the chert.

Knapping: 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

A variation of Fort Payne Chert, Blue Gray Fort Payne Chert has primary outcroppings in Bear Creek drainage in the Tennessee River Valley in Northern Alabama.  On the northern side of the Tennessee River near Wilson Dam, the upper Flint River Drainage,  around Mussel Shoals and Colbert Shoals.  Has been found in cobble form along Duck Creek and Riley Creek in Tennessee.  May have same distribution as Fort Payne Chert.