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

Item Description

There are a lot of localities for Opal in the world. You'll find this material in every color of the rainbow, and in all sorts of levels of transparency / translucency. One of my favorite Opal varieties is what used to be called Hyalite, but I need to point out that this term is no longer valid, and the material is now called Opal-AN. This piece is a beautiful display specimen of the new, unique and exciting Opals from Étienne Mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. 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 miniature specimen features rather gemmy to translucent spherical groups or "balls" of Hyalite that range from completely colorless to soft shades of lilac sitting on of matrix. You can see the "blood vessels" included in some of the "balls", which look beautiful under magnification. 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.