Blue Opal (Copper-bearing) (48.41 grams)

Item Description

For several years the Acari Mine has produced some of the finest gem quality Blue Opal in the world. This material sometimes goes by the name "Andean Opal" or "Andes Opal", but no matter what you call it, you can't help but be mesmerized by the color. This intense blue hue is caused by copper content, (some say it's from the presence of Chrysocolla) and the saturation in incredibly strong, even in smaller pieces. Sometimes you'll even see piece of this material with small black dendritic inclusions, which when properly faceted / polished will produce gorgeous gemstones. This piece is a really eye-catching small cabinet specimen of this elusive material featuring zones of intensely colored rich greenish-blue Opal. You can see a very thin layer of matrix at the base, but it's nearly 100% Opal throughout. Obviously the best part of looking at the piece is when it's backlit, as the color just comes rushing through. This piece is actually fairly gemmy in areas, so you get a good amount of light coming through. I don't know if I would say it's top lapidary grade, but it's incredibly attractive. Of all the colors and varieties of Opal out there, these are some of the most distinctive and beautiful in my mind. Specimen weight is 48.41 grams.