precious Opal in Petrified wood (circa 1924) ex. Univ Arizona

Item Description

This is a very large, hefty (469 gram) specimen of petrified wood, where opal has filled the natural cracks left after fossilization. This is a great display-quality and educational example from a famous deposit, which really shows you how these opal veins form in nature at this unique location (i do not think this occurs elsewhere?). The opal has a gorgeous play of colors, and exists in thin veins. The petrified wood can be broken up, or cleaved off, to expose it further of course, but I like the specimen "as is". Some material from this locality is not stable once mined. However, as this piece was purchased in 1924 and stored safely since, it is probably the most documentedly stable piece I have handled.. Ex. University of Arizona Mineral Museum collection, obtained by purchase in 1924 according to its yellowed old museum label