A morlop is a smooth, water-worn pebble of mottled jasper, traditionally found in the alluvial gem deposits of New South Wales. Prospectors often encounter these heavy, colorful stones in their washdirt while panning or sluicing for diamonds and sapphires. Their presence in the gravels serves as an indicator mineral for heavy gem-bearing layers.
Heard on the job
We found a handful of morlops in the bottom of the sluice, so we're definitely in the right gravel bed.