PERU BLUE OPAL ROUGH

This is a natural untreated blue rough which has both opal and chrysocolla formed to gether from a cooper mine in Peru.

Hardness Mohs scale 5.5 to 6.5

Transulant to Transparent.

Weight 18.25 cts app

Size 24 x 17 x 14 mm app

Note we have taken the photo with the stone WET

THIS  TYPE OF PERUVIAN BLUE OPAL ALSO CALLED CHRYSOPAL -opal stained by chryscolla or soper minerals

Chrysocolla (hydrated copper silicate) is a mineral. It is of secondary origin and forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. Associated minerals are quartz, limonite, azurite, malachite, cuprite, and other secondary copper minerals.

Chrysocolla has an attractive blue-green colour and is a minor ore of copper, having a hardness of 2.5 to 3.5. It is also used as an ornamental stone. It is typically found as glassy botryoidal or rounded masses and crusts, or vein fillings. Because of its light color, it is sometimes confused with turquoise. Commonly it occurs only as pourous crusts unsuitable for gem use, but high quality, gem grade chrysocolla can be translucent and is highly prized.

This is the national stone of Peru

Peruvian blue opal is relatively rare and is only found in the Andes mountains near San Patricio, Peru. It is a very translucent stone with color similar to the Caribbean Sea. Depending on how the stone is cut it can be clear, scenic (showing varying degrees of color) or dendritic which has black fern like inclusions.At present there is a large amount of white material sent from the mines which is dyed blue in china and india  and is on the market.

Folklore & Legend

This symbolic stone is considered a gift from the Incan goddess of fertility, good fortune, and nature.It was used by the local Inca people in there jewellery.The Peruvian blue opal has soft relaxing energiesiit .It takes the tension out of communication and helps ideas flow freely. It softens the impact of stress from the outside world and can help one to release the trauma of old wounds. It facilitates facing the future with a tranquil healing nature.