Reviews
17" Extremely Fluorescent Hyalite Opal over Smoky Quartz - Nambia
This is by far the most breathtaking and alluring hyalite opal specimen we have ever had available, let alone encountered. The entire specimen measures 17" wide and features colorless to green hyalite opal encrusting a plate of smoky quartz crystals. Many of the smoky quartz crystals can be seen peeking through the hyalite opal and clustered around the periphery. Under both longwave and shortwave UV light, the hyalite opal exhibits a vibrant green fluorescence. A photo of this fluorescence can be seen above. The reaction to shortwave UV is a result of trace uranyl ions.
Comes with a display stand.
Comes with a display stand.
About Hyalite Opal
Hyalite is a transparent to translucent variety of opal that commonly forms smooth, glassy globules or botryoidal coatings. An amorphous form of silica (SiO₂), hyalite is classified as a mineraloid and typically forms as a volcanic sublimate in volcanic or pegmatitic environments, where silica-rich vapors condense and solidify. It is also known as water opal, jalite, or Müller’s glass, named after its describer, Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein.
One of hyalite’s most distinctive features is its intense fluorescence: under shortwave ultraviolet light, many specimens glow a vivid neon green. This striking effect is caused by trace amounts of uranium, present as uranyl ions, incorporated into the opal’s structure during formation. In normal lighting, hyalite often appears colorless and glass-like, making its dramatic UV response especially surprising and highly prized by mineral collectors.
Hyalite is a transparent to translucent variety of opal that commonly forms smooth, glassy globules or botryoidal coatings. An amorphous form of silica (SiO₂), hyalite is classified as a mineraloid and typically forms as a volcanic sublimate in volcanic or pegmatitic environments, where silica-rich vapors condense and solidify. It is also known as water opal, jalite, or Müller’s glass, named after its describer, Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein.
One of hyalite’s most distinctive features is its intense fluorescence: under shortwave ultraviolet light, many specimens glow a vivid neon green. This striking effect is caused by trace amounts of uranium, present as uranyl ions, incorporated into the opal’s structure during formation. In normal lighting, hyalite often appears colorless and glass-like, making its dramatic UV response especially surprising and highly prized by mineral collectors.
About Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is a variety of quartz distinguished by its smoky gray to deep brown or nearly black coloration, a name inspired by the hazy, smoke-like appearance within the crystal. While some specimens can appear very dark or even opaque, most smoky quartz remains at least partially translucent, allowing light to pass through its internal veils and zoning. The color develops when trace amounts of aluminum within the quartz lattice are exposed to natural irradiation over geologic time, subtly altering the crystal structure and producing its characteristic smoky tones.
Smoky quartz is a variety of quartz distinguished by its smoky gray to deep brown or nearly black coloration, a name inspired by the hazy, smoke-like appearance within the crystal. While some specimens can appear very dark or even opaque, most smoky quartz remains at least partially translucent, allowing light to pass through its internal veils and zoning. The color develops when trace amounts of aluminum within the quartz lattice are exposed to natural irradiation over geologic time, subtly altering the crystal structure and producing its characteristic smoky tones.
$3,500
SPECIES
Opal var. Hyalite & Quartz var. Smoky
LOCATION
Erongo Region, Namibia
SIZE
17 x 9.2"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#334661
