Common white opal on fire agate/chalcedony specimen?

Steve1236

Hero Member
Sep 14, 2017
702
971
Az
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Pretty cool specimen I just cleaned up a bit, I'm curious if the solid white mineral in the first couple of pics could be common opal? It fluorescence brighter white under short wave uv, it's real brittle and a piece of sharp chalcedony scratches it very easily, I've never found any opal before so I'm kinda clueless, any opinions would be appreciated. 20190628_081848(0)~2.jpg 20190628_083825~3.jpg 20190628_083647.jpg 20190628_083401~2.jpg 20190628_083753~2.jpg 20190628_085938.jpg 20190628_084357~2.jpg 20190628_081925~2.jpg 20190628_081921~2.jpg 20190628_084019~2.jpg
 

Last edited:

Kray Gelder

Gold Member
Feb 24, 2017
7,013
12,578
Georgetown, SC
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
That chunk has a lot going on! I don't know much about finding opal, but opal has a hardness of 5-6, vs agate of 7, and it is a brittle stone, particularly when drying out. No crystal formation with the white stuff, and fairly uniform color. I'd say that's a good call. Nice specimen.
 

Upvote 0
OP
OP
Steve1236

Steve1236

Hero Member
Sep 14, 2017
702
971
Az
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Screenshot_20190526-075931_Chrome.jpg
Thanks Kray, I was reading this article and apparently opal is found in this spot in Arizona attached to fire agate so I dont see why my spot wouldn't, I always look for dark colors when I'm digging or collecting fire agates so I could of missed opal somewhere easily out there, now I'm really itching for this summer heat to end so I can get back out there.
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top