QLTY SANDSTONE FAIRY OPAL MATRIX PENDANT 18.65 CTW (FPB32)

Item Description Pictures Bidding History Comments

About this Auction		About this Seller: OpalEscence
Minimum Bid (USD)	$20.00	Feedback Rating	100.00% Positive
Current Bid (USD)	$20.00 convert	Member Since	6 Jan 2009 in Australia
Bid Increment (USD)	$1.00	View feedback Send seller message View 242 other auctions from this seller More about this seller
Bids Placed	21 jump to bid history
Starting Bid (USD)	$1.00
Reserve Price (USD)	none
Starts	May 24, 2010 12:00 AM (PDT)	Basic Shipping Information
Ends	June 2, 2010 12:00 AM (PDT)	Shipping Cost	3.00 paid by buyer
Auction Category	NR Opals	Optional Shipping Insurance within Australia (USD)	7.00
Auction ID	201244	Optional Shipping Insurance rest of world (USD)	7.00
This auction has closed
* note for every bid placed in the last 5 minutes the auction end time increases by 60 seconds - refresh page to update

Gallery

* Hint: Click on the thumbnails above to see the full sized version. Images are of the actual item unless otherwise indicated.

Description

AAA QUALITY FAIRY OPAL MATRIX PENDANT w/BALE

Type: ENHANCED NATURAL SANDSTONE OPAL MATRIX (Fairy Opal)
Origin: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Carat Weight: 18.65

Opal Size: 20 x 10 x 3mm (double bale size: 19.8 x 4mm)

Cut / Shape : Cabochon / Freeform

Color: GREEN BLUE

Treatment: Enhancement by carbonising

Description: AAA Grade Quality opal in sandstone matrix Sparkling Multicolour Gem Flecks throughout the stone.

Quality Cut and Fine Finish.

also known as Fairy Opal matrix, Rainbow Opal matrix, Mass Opal, confetti and Black Paradise Opal Matrix.

...............................................................................................................................................................................

What is Sandstone Opal Matrix?

Naturaly formed sandstone opal matrix is Precious Opal flecks dispersed throughout an earthy orange ferruginous sandstone.

Why is sandstone opal matrix treated?

By enhancing the host sandstone gives a greater contrast thus the visability of the precious opal colors is greater. Once treated some stones have the appearance of top gem quality black opal particularly the ones with distinct patterns. they are also similar in appearance to Honduran (basalt) matrix and gem Andamooka (concrete) matrix, Even Nicer!

How is sandstone opal matrix treated?

The treatment is done by cooking the stone in sugar, the sugar is carbonized giving the host stone a darker or black background, only the matrix is carbonised not the precious opal, it is then stabilized with inert chemical product this also strengthens the stone up to ten times. The sandstone absorbs the treatmeant all the way through, so re-cutting a stone is not a problem, unlike with other treated opal matrix, you do not have to treat it again after cutting.

The opal matrix listed here is superior quality to most we have seen to date. It is a more compacted sandstone type and the flecks of precious opal are more concentrated. It takes a polish/ finish much better than the very porous types.

Sandstone opal matrix is not that new as a discovery it has been around for as long as boulder opal. However, there are not many finished stones available because it is quite a tricky and tedious procedure to arrive at a quality finished product. We have now perfected this process and can offer a Quality finished product.

So, if you would like a piece of opal that looks like a million for a fraction of the cost try these - you will be pleasantly amazed!

More Information

Depth: 3 mm
Length: 20 mm
Weight: 18.65 Carats
Width: 10 mm

Bidding History


Member	Bid	Time & Date
hphsmg	20.00	June 1, 2010 11:01:09 PM (PDT)
alastairals	19.00	June 1, 2010 11:01:09 PM (PDT)
hphsmg	18.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:57 PM (PDT)
alastairals	17.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:57 PM (PDT)
hphsmg	16.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:32 PM (PDT)
alastairals	15.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:32 PM (PDT)
hphsmg	14.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:21 PM (PDT)
alastairals	13.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:21 PM (PDT)
hphsmg	12.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:06 PM (PDT)
alastairals	11.00	June 1, 2010 11:00:06 PM (PDT)
hphsmg	10.00	June 1, 2010 8:40:31 PM (PDT)
1futfe	9.00	June 1, 2010 8:40:31 PM (PDT)
1futfe	7.00	June 1, 2010 3:45:03 PM (PDT)
alastairals	6.00	June 1, 2010 3:45:03 PM (PDT)
alastairals	5.00	June 1, 2010 12:34:02 PM (PDT)
roadman	4.50	June 1, 2010 12:33:52 PM (PDT)
alastairals	4.00	June 1, 2010 12:33:52 PM (PDT)
roadman	2.50	June 1, 2010 12:33:39 PM (PDT)
alastairals	2.00	June 1, 2010 12:33:39 PM (PDT)
roadman	1.50	May 29, 2010 3:25:54 PM (PDT)
XtremeOpals	1.00	May 26, 2010 9:46:35 AM (PDT)

OpalEscence's Shipping, Handling & Return Policies

Worldwide shipping $4

Postal Insurance: $7 for the first $100 value and $3 per $100 value thereafter.

Combined Multiple Items Shipping Discount: - $10 for 5 items up to 10 days. please check out once you reach 5 items won. ***Australian Buyers please note this is a GST exclusive auction. 10% GST is added to the final item cost.***

***NOTICE as of Friday, 03 February 2012*** Due to flooding in Northern New South Wales and Queensland Australia, there may be some delays to mail services in these areas until further notice.