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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2018 12:57:25 GMT -5
Found and photographed a couple of the pieces I had which were said to be Mexican Opal. 1dave and others what do you think? The matrix is very soft, can pick at it with thumb nail. Tried to show the flash, which some say Mexican Opal does not have. If Mexican Opal, any ideas on mine? If not any ideas on where it is from? Thanks
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Post by 1dave on Nov 25, 2018 14:24:34 GMT -5
DEFIANTLY Mexican opal! Whoever said there isn't precious Mexican opal doesn'r know what they are talking about. Precious Mexican opal has been found in probably 15 different locations all over Mexico. The rhyolite matrix on yours are possibly from one of the mines in the Magdalena area, but . . . The new mine near La Trinidad is another possibility. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/1024709/threadThe problem is shaping the stone without grinding away most of the opal. some try to work it from the back side, grinding through the rhyolite.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 14:41:10 GMT -5
I agree. That pinkish matrix is a good indicator. You did a good job capturing the play of color.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2018 14:41:55 GMT -5
Thanks 1dave I acquired this in the mid 1980's. If I would ever try to remove some of the opals that are not cracked, I would probably use a small, round file first, then sand paper. That is how soft the matrix is. Have 4 more of these with similar flash.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2018 14:44:49 GMT -5
@rockstodust Thanks for the photo compliment. Cloudy day here. Used natural light through patio doors, flash on phone and a LED spot light. Only took about 20 photos total, which is minimal when I try to capture flash in a rock.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,775
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 25, 2018 17:51:17 GMT -5
Most of the smaller rhyolitic opal of that type is cabbed as one piece with the opal left in place in he matrix. Below is quick shot I made to illustrate the principle. Larger fine opals are definitely worth removing from the matrix of course. Cantera Opal, Mexico
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Nov 27, 2018 17:58:46 GMT -5
An interesting tidbit I learned at the opal show a couple years ago: Cantera is a modification of the spanish Conterra (or maybe Con Terra), which means, "with stone". Or, maybe the dealer was just shining me on, who knows.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 27, 2018 18:48:02 GMT -5
An interesting tidbit I learned at the opal show a couple years ago: Cantera is a modification of the spanish Conterra (or maybe Con Terra), which means, "with stone". Or, maybe the dealer was just shining me on, who knows. That sounds right to me!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,775
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 27, 2018 19:33:26 GMT -5
Bluesky78987, that definition may be correct but I checked Wiki and the English translation is "quarry." It makes sense to me since the opal is contained in matrix obtained from several rock quarries in the Magdalena region of Mexico. In Spain the word refers to sports teams so as an English-speaker only I'm somewhat confused. Maybe someone who speaks Spanish can set us straight.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Nov 27, 2018 20:15:41 GMT -5
I bet there are a bunch of stories about it floating around. I don't speak Spanish either. Now that I think about it, I think it was @christopher1234 who told me that name. Or the dealer he introduced me to. Maybe Christopher knows more about it.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 27, 2018 20:57:02 GMT -5
Yup, Quarry. I understand more Spanish and various dialects than I speak. In Brazilian it can mean to remove. Which makes since that things are removed from a quarry.
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