Not no expert . Talked to a few people, (one invited me into here). Appears i have Mexican opal in sandstone matrix. Seems to not be crazed, From what i know it was found near topsoil, Jalisco region of mexico, (known for precious/fire opal). Rock has been passed down to me, found over 50 years ago by my grandfather, given to my mom, given to me ! Have put it in water before, currently in water (1day), no change in clarity/ color. Been in stored dry for as long as i can remember. Clear edges, milky center , some play of color inside.
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Last edited by idrmname on Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It does look like Opal from the Jalisco area of Mexico. Unfortunately, it looks like it has dried out, and lost its color. You will likely not be able to restore that with stability. Also, the matrix from that area is normally Rhyolite not Sandstone.
Not no expert . Talked to a few people, (one invited me into here). Appears i have Mexican opal in sandstone matrix. Seems to not be crazed, From what i know it was found near topsoil, Jalisco region of mexico, (known for precious/fire opal). Rock has been passed down to me, found over 50 years ago by my grandfather, given to my mom, given to me ! Have put it in water before, currently in water (1day), no change in clarity/ color. Been in stored dry for as long as i can remember. Clear edges, milky center , some play of color inside.
It does look like Opal from the Jalisco area of Mexico. Unfortunately, it looks like it has dried out, and lost its color. You will likely not be able to restore that with stability. Also, the matrix from that area is normally Rhyolite not Sandstone.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
As it is right now, the opal is not gem material.
If you soak it and some color comes back, the opaqueness becomes translucence, it will still not be suitable for cutting but it would make a prettier specimen for the shelf.
I used to always keep my Mexican opals in a jar with water.
Last pics were ok . just took new ones. Major improvement after soaking, even since last pics! Middle pocket Has got much clearer. I can see through to the rock backing ! Never remember seeing it like that ever! Looks beautifull!
Thanks for the info. Just what it needs! A proper display, and to be displayed! Filtered water? Distilled? Reg tap would probably grow algae. Contains chlorine/amine . Don't know if that's good for opal
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