Wood Opal

March 12, 2023
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Opal (Var.: en:Wood Opal) Locality: Rhodope Mts, Haskovo Oblast (Khaskovo Oblast), Bulgaria (Locality at mindat.org) Though it does not have the iridescence associated with the commonly-known forms of opal, this material from Bulgaria is referred to as “wood-opal” for its fine, dense texture and mineralization by silica, replacing the original wood. You can see the very bark-like exterior still intact, and the center has been completely mineralized. This specimen came out of an Eastern European museum collection, as you can see from the label. Rare in this quality! 12.1 x 10.8 x 5.9cm

Wood opal is a form of petrified wood which has developed an opalescent sheen or, more rarely, where the wood has been completely replaced by opal. Other names for this opalized sheen-like wood are opalized wood and opalized petrified wood. It is often used as a gemstone.

References

  • GEM HUNTER By George Frangoulis
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