Opal-AN (Hyalite Opal) (''Blood Vessel Opal'') (fluorescent)

Item Description

These unique and exciting specimens from Étienne Mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico are some of the most distinctive Opals you'll see from any locality. They are notably different from other Hyalite Opals for the fact that they are not colorless, and they have been given the nickname "Blood Vessel Opal" due to the glowing orange and red inclusions of iron oxide that resemble capillaries under the surface. When it comes to Opal, there are lots of localities and styles for the species around the world, but I have to say that these are some of the most attractive, unusual, interesting and impressive Hyalites from anywhere. A good friend of ours is exclusively mining this material, and we are getting it directly from the source. This small cabinet specimen features rather gemmy to translucent spherical groups or "balls" of Hyalite that range from almost colorless to rich reddish-orange hue, with shades of bluish-lilac Opal on the bottom.. You can see the "blood vessels" included in the majority of the "balls", which look beautiful under magnification. Like a lot Hyalite specimens, this piece shows a brilliant green fluorescence under SW UV light, but the fluorescence is stronger in the colorless "balls" as opposed to those with the "blood vessel" inclusions. There are very few of these on the market, and you honestly can't find anything else like them out there. A great piece for anybody who collects Mexican minerals, worldwide Opals or fluorescent minerals. A wonderful specimen of this beautiful Opal variety. Lastly, we should point out that the term "Hyalite" Opal is no longer valid, and the material is now called Opal-AN.