Spessartine with Opal-AN (Hyalite Opal)

Item Description

These Spessartines are some of the most attractive and highly displayable specimens to come out of China. This particular piece features dozens of gemmy, orange red trapezohedra measuring up to 3 mm on matrix, but the most impressive aspect of the specimen is that the back of the piece is covered with small glassy "bead"-like aggregates of gemmy, colorless "Hyalite" Opal (now properly called Opal-AN). As you can see from the photos, the reverse side of the specimen fluoresces a bright green under SW UV light, which is typical for this kind of Opal. Additionally, some opaque white spheres can be seen with the Opal-AN, though we cannot determine if this is simply opaque Opal, or a coating of Opal-AN on another mineral. It should be noted that the color in the Spessartine crystals is very attractive, and they are not at all pitted. This material is becoming less and less available on the market, and keep in mind that there are only a few worldwide localities that produce this color of Spessartine in fine specimens. Gem orange Spessartine specimens are NOT easy to find these days from any locality, ESPECIALLY associated with Opal!