Opals

[Ivybridge]

Hi! I bought a big bag of gems and rocks at a goodwill earlier this year and these 2 opals were in it. It must of come from someone who did lapidary as there were many cabochons and pieces along with a couple of dop sticks mixed in.
I've been trying to learn my gems but I'm not sure on this opal. The one with the swirls in it looks dark and is translucent except for a small piece of matrix, would that make it a black opal? Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!
Angel

 

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[Bum Luck]

It's not black opal.

It looks like Coober Pedy white opal, but I've never seen that swirl.

 

[mamabear]

It sure is beautiful!

 

[huntsman53]

It's not black opal.

It looks like Coober Pedy white opal, but I've never seen that swirl.

I agree and nice finds! What else did you score in the bag? Have any pics of them as well?


Frank

 

[Ivybridge]

Thanks for the help!

I'll try to snap a pic or 2 tomorrow to show some of the other stuff that was included.

 

[G Freeman]

Hi! I bought a big bag of gems and rocks at a goodwill earlier this year and these 2 opals were in it. It must of come from someone who did lapidary as there were many cabochons and pieces along with a couple of dop sticks mixed in.
I've been trying to learn my gems but I'm not sure on this opal. The one with the swirls in it looks dark and is translucent except for a small piece of matrix, would that make it a black opal? Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!
Angel

View attachment 1038710 View attachment 1038711

Great looking rocks Ivybridge. Gee I might have to start rock hunting in our Goodwill. Thanks for posting.

 

[PamDF]

Nice find! lucky yah

 

[Ivybridge]

Finally got a few photos. There was more than this in the bag but I've put different pieces in bowls with other rocks so remembering where I got what would be almost impossible. I'd love to identify some of this. I know there are rubies and I think the black may be the stuff they use on the dop sticks but I'm not sure. Could that be a piece of amber? It's pretty light in weight. I also don't know what the clear piece is at the top. Thanks again for any help!

 

[G Freeman]

Ivybridge, did you polish these or did they come that shiny? thanks. great find.

 

[Ivybridge]

Everything is the way I found it... the larger orange pieces are all cabochons.

 

[Eu_citzen]

This link offers a lot of reading about opals:
Opal classification - NSW Resources and Energy

Go and scroll down to "Body tone", there you can see N1 and N2 are black opals. Opals with that body colour would be called black opal, IMO.

 

[Ivybridge]

Thank you very much!! Great info!

 

[Brian T. Booth]

Hi! I bought a big bag of gems and rocks at a goodwill earlier this year and these 2 opals were in it. It must of come from someone who did lapidary as there were many cabochons and pieces along with a couple of dop sticks mixed in. I've been trying to learn my gems but I'm not sure on this opal. The one with the swirls in it looks dark and is translucent except for a small piece of matrix, would that make it a black opal? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you! Angel <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1038710"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1038711"/>

When cleaning any opals, do not put them a ultra sonic cleaner.