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

Item Description

This is an attractive piece of this unique and unusual Opals that came from the fairly new discovery at the Étienne Mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I've called these specimens Hyalite for years, but term "Hyalite" Opal is no longer a valid name, this material is now called Opal-AN. In January 2019, there was an impressive discovery of some really eye-catching specimens from this tiny little mine. When it comes to Opal, there are lots of localities and styles for the species around the world, but I have to say that these are some of the most attractive, unusual, interesting and impressive Hyalites from anywhere. A good friend of ours is exclusively mining this material, and we are getting it directly from the source. These specimens have been given the nickname "Blood Vessel Opal" due to the glowing orange and red inclusions of iron oxide that resemble capillaries under the surface. This small cabinet specimen features rather gemmy to translucent spherical groups or "balls" of Hyalite that range from completely colorless to soft shades of white sitting on minor matrix. You can see the "blood vessels" included in many of the "balls" which look beautiful under magnification. Like a lot Hyalite specimens, this piece shows a brilliant green fluorescence under SW UV light. There are very few of these on the market, and you honestly can't find anything else like them out there. 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 72.60 grams.