QUALITY SANDSTONE 'FAIRY' OPAL MATRIX BEAD STRAND 260 CTW

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About This Seller: OpalBeads
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Feedback Rating 99.21% Positive
Current Bid (USD) 0.00 Member Since 19 Jan 2009 in Australia
Bid Increment (USD) 5.00
Bids Placed 0
Starting Bid (USD) 320.00
Reserve Price (USD) none
Starts March 14, 2010 12:00 AM
Ends March 15, 2010 1:00 AM Basic Shipping Information
Auction Category Opal Beads > Bead Strands Shipping Cost 4.00 paid by buyer
Auction ID 197202 Shipping Insurance (optional) 11.40

Ends in 6 hours 50 minutes

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Description


AAA+ QUALITY FAIRY OPAL MATRIX BEAD STRAND   

 

Type: TREATED SOLID NATURAL SANDSTONE OPAL MATRIX (Fairy Opal)
Origin: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Carat Weight: 260
Length of Strand: 16 inch / 420 mm

Bead Size: Graduated 7 x 4.5 to 12 x 7.5 mm

Cut / Shape : Smooth Roundels

Color: RED ORANGE GOLD GREEN BLUE

Clarity: Opaque

Treatments:  Enhancement by carbonising

 Description: Brilliant sparkle of multicolor gem flecks throughout each bead. 

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.

 


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