Opal-AN (Hyalite Opal) ("Blood Vessel Opal")

Item Description

This one came to us from a recent discovery (January 2019) at a new mine in San Luis Potosi. These are some of the most attractive, unusual, interesting and impressive Hyalite Opals we've ever seen. We were happy to get these pieces from a good friend who has been mining this material exclusively for the past few years. This particular specimen is loaded with gemmy to translucent colorless to soft blue colored spherical groups or "balls" of Hyalite free of matrix. The specimen has formed in an almost "slipper"-like or "ashtray"-like shape with a flat base and raised edges / sides. The underside of the specimen has more of a Chalcedony appearance with grey / smoky colored spheres. For me, the most interesting aspect of the piece is the fact you can see small inclusions of golden to orange colored iron oxide that resemble thin organic "capillaries" or "blood vessels", which created the nickname "Blood Vessel Opal" for this material. It's truly unique for Opal and really gives the piece character. Like a lot Hyalite specimens, this piece shows a brilliant green fluorescence under SW UV light. These specimens are incredibly limited, and you honestly can't find anything like on the market. A great piece for anybody who collects Mexican minerals, worldwide Opals or fluorescent minerals. A wonderful specimen of this beautiful Opal variety. Weight on the specimen is 247.20 grams. It should be noted that the term "Hyalite" Opal is no longer valid, and the material is now called Opal-AN. Priced at $1,000 in the inventory.