QUALITY 'FAIRY' OPAL MATRIX Half Drilled Roundels (FOB/99)

Item Description Pictures Bidding History Comments

About this Auction		About this Seller: OpalBeads
Minimum Bid (USD)	$6.00	Feedback Rating	99.42% Positive
Current Bid (USD)	$6.00 convert	Member Since	19 Jan 2009 in Australia
Bid Increment (USD)	$1	View feedback Send seller message View 133 other auctions from this seller More about this seller
Bids Placed	3 jump to bid history
Starting Bid (USD)	$1.00
Reserve Price (USD)	none
Starts	September 13, 2010 2:30 AM (PDT)	Basic Shipping Information
Ends	September 22, 2010 2:25 AM (PDT)	Shipping Cost	3.00 paid by buyer
Auction Category	NR Opals	Optional Shipping Insurance within Australia (USD)	7.00
Auction ID	220167	Optional Shipping Insurance rest of world (USD)	7.00
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Gallery

pins not included,inserted to show direction of drill holes only.

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

Description

AAA QUALITY OPAL MATRIX BEADS

Type: TREATED SOLID NATURAL SANDSTONE OPAL MATRIX (FairyOpal)
Origin: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Carat Weight: 8.46
Number of Beads: 2

Bead Size: 10 x 7 mm

Drill Hole: 1 mm, side, half drilled

Cut / Shape : Smooth Roundels

Color: GREEN BLUE
Clarity: Opaque

Treatments: Enhancement by carbonising

Description: Brilliant sparkle of multicolour gem flecks throughout the entire stone

AAA Grade Quality opal in sandstone matrix also known as Fairy Opal Matrix, Rainbow Opal Matrix, Mass Opal or Black Paradise opal matrix.

Quality cut with a fine finish.

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 background matrix will give a greater contrast thus the visability of the precious opal colors is greater and stabilizing the sandstone also strengthens the stone by up to x10. Once enhanced some stones have the appearance of top gem quality black opal particularly ones with interesting and unique patterns. They are also similar in appearance to Honduran (basalt) matrix and gem Andamooka (concrete) matrix, even nicer.

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!!!

How is sandstone opal matrix treated?

The treatment is done by cooking the stone in sugar, thus the sugar is carbonized giving the stone a darker or black background and it is stabilized with inert chemical that strengthens the opal by up to x10. Only the sandstone absorbs the treatmeant, not the precious opal. This type of treatment when applied correctly is absorbed all the way through the entire stone, so re-cutting is not a problem, 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.

More Information

Length: 10 mm
Weight: 8.46 Carats
Width: 7 mm

Bidding History


Member	Bid	Time & Date
cindykins59	6.00	September 21, 2010 4:25:46 PM (PDT)
spaceystacey	5.00	September 21, 2010 4:25:46 PM (PDT)
cindykins59	1.00	September 17, 2010 5:13:43 AM (PDT)

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***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

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