I don't really like this gem. It's Prase opal, a variety of common opal but with nickel giving it the neon bluish-green hue. This and Chrysoprase are similar in appearance but distinguished by their varying Refractive Index and Specific Gravity and Prase opal tends to be more translucent.
This particular opal came from recently discovered veins on Mount Iyobo in central Tanzania where Chrysoprase and Prase opal have been mined for more than 20 years. The new discovery has some of the most intense bluish green material mined in this area.
They both form in discontinuous veins within metamorphosed ultramafic (iron rich) rocks with the dominant host rock being altered serpentine. The top gem weighs in at 11 carats but I don't like the green hue. What I covet is the specimen in the rough, I love this piece. I love the matrix stone above and below that gives a richer green to the Prase opal.
The picture also brought back a dream I once had, a very long time ago but one of those dreams that tend to stick in the mind. I was in a room entirely made of Chrysoprase but not smooth, the walls and floor were like this piece of matrix. I have no idea what it meant and it didn't give me any liking for the gem. My mind is full of little mysteries like that. It's probably full of holes like Swiss Cheese as well.
I'd put in a map to Mount Iyobo but I ditched goggle earth for taking up too much computer room.
Use google maps and then satellite view. Almost as good for amateurs as Google Earth.
ReplyDeleteI not like that green thing.
ReplyDeleteOpal must have purples and blues and reds with green fire, it is carved in concrete.
I'll let you use it as a paperweight for the broadband bills.
Andrew, same thing, takes up room and I could grow older than I'd like waiting for pages to load.
ReplyDeleteJayne, you have taste. I have a ring of silver set with Boulder opal and it reminds me of The Great Barrier reef. I love it. I don't really like the orange fire opals from Mexico either. Opals must flash, as you said, carved in concrete.
Hmmmm, they remind me of what used to be inside my hanky before I had nasal surgery a few years back.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the rough specimen is much prettier than the polished gem, which looks like it has eyes, a little spooky. I prefer the flashing coloured opals and the black opal. I have a chunk of crysoprase somewhere in a bag with a handful of other crystals; I really must get them out of hiding.
ReplyDeleteI like the green. It looks like Peppermint Crisp.
ReplyDeleteNow I remember why I put them away. The crystal bowl got broken during one of "someone's" temper tantrums a while ago. I could put them in a cut glass bowl instead I suppose, until I get another crystal bowl.
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