Opal-AN (Hyalite Opal) with Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite (var: "Staffelite")

Item Description

When it comes to Hyalite Opal - the proper name is Opal (var Opal-AN) - the specimens from Valec are the most famous in my mind. This material is essentially colorless, and resembles lustrous glass beads. The historic old mines are now closed as they lay in a military reservation, and these specimens will never be found again. This beautiful specimen features a groups of intergrown spherical "bead"-like nodules of Opal-AN which have a stunny internal gemminess and are smartly sitting on host rock matrix. Additionally, spherical whitish "balls" of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite (var: Staffelite) can be seen on the piece as well. If you're an Opal collector, this is a worthwhile representative piece of this classic material, with the famous "Stafellite" association. Valued at $1,800 for the size, quality and near non-existence on the market, especially in large cabinet display specimens.