Opalized fossil Wood Limb ex Zigras collection

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2021 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 23, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.

This superbly formed opalized limb cast consists of translucent opal having 100% replaced a limb of a fossilized tree or fern, and comes from the famous Virgin Valley deposits. It was found in the 1950s and was in the Cline family collection back in New Jersey, and later in the collection of gem and mineral dealer and Quartz miner, James Zigras. He then took the raw material, which had a rough surface, and gave the piece to master carver Lawrence Stoller who gave it a superb polish to the highest level of luster, revealing the full beautiful and translucent interior. It has one clean repair line about the midpoint. It masses in at 120 grams and stands 9 cm tall, making for a very impactful display specimen for the collector. This is a very rare and desirable quality, and the piece presents well for display in a collection of minerals or lapidary. Donated by James Zigras to the Symposium auction.