Opal-AN (Hyalite Opal) (''Blood Vessel Opal'') (fluorescent)

Item Description

There are many different styles of Opal from around the world. You'll find them in all colors of the rainbow, and in notably different forms. This specimen is from the recent, unique and exciting Opal discovery from the Étienne Mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. In January 2019, there was an impressive find of some really eye-catching specimens from this tiny little mine. 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 miniature specimen features rather gemmy to translucent spherical groups or "balls" of Hyalite that range from completely colorless to shades of reddish-orange, with some pale lilac Opal underneath. With some magnification, you can see the "blood vessels" included in the majority of the "balls", which look beautiful up close. Like a lot Hyalite specimens, this piece shows a brilliant green fluorescence under SW UV light, but the fluorescence is stronger in the colorless "balls" as opposed to those with the "blood vessel" inclusions. 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. Lastly, we should point out that the term "Hyalite" Opal is no longer valid, and the material is now called Opal-AN.