Opal var. Opal-AN (fluorescent)

Item Description

An intriguing specimen of the fairly new Hyalite Opal (now properly called Opal-AN) that started trickling out of central Mexico at the end of 2013 according to reports. The Opal is classic in its jelly-like, botryoidal growth that is water-clear, but there is an additional habit that is almost helectitic/stalatitic in its form, and these 'rods' reach about 4 mm in length. I've not seen that before from Hyalite Opal. Needless to say, no matter what the habit, the Opal demonstrates the intense, neon green fluorescence that it is famous for. At one end of the pocket there is an mound of yellow-orange Smithsonite/Mimetite covered by the Opal for an intense coloration. This combination seems to be unique to here, and adds even more to the interest and aesthetics of this rather amazing small cabinet. The yellow crystal sprays off to the side/bottom in the matrix, seem to be Novacekite (not analyzed).