Australia Andamooka Matrix Opal. RARE REDS! deals 4.3+ ct, 16 mm x 12mm x 4mm. Pendant, Men’s Ring. Unusual zoned pattern. Important gemstone.
NOTE: All prices are in USD.
Now is your time to give a Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Easter, graduation, birthday, or “AnyDay” gift full of lasting love to keep her celebrating long after the day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Australia Andamooka Matrix Opal. RARE REDS! 4.3+ ct, 16 mm x 12mm x 4mm. Pendant, Men's Ring. Unusual Zoned Pattern. Important Gemstone.
THIS ANDAMOOKA AUSTRALIA OPAL
We are offering a striking cabachon of Andamooka matrix opal. Measurements are 16 mm x 12 mm x 4 mm; weight is 4.3+ Ct. The gemstone displays a large amount of red, the most rare of the colors in Australian opal “play of Colors”. The unusual pattern concentrates the red play of colors on one end of the gemstone. A very unique gem! This stone has been in our possession since the early 2000s and our offering price reflects mid-1990s trade-show pricing. It is natural solid Australian opal, we do not sell any lab-created stimulants or “opal” from any other countries.
Andamooka opal gemstones are a beautiful and a far less expensive alternative to the much more expensive Lightning Ridge black opal. For this reason, Andamooka matrix stones have become increasingly popular as the cost of black opal has become exceedingly expensive.
WHAT IS ANDAMOOKA OPAL?
Andamooka matrix opal is composed of precious opal disseminated in a light colored porous limestone host rock. When mined, the color of the opal does not present a strong contrast with the color of the limestone host rock. In order to accentuate the opal color against the limestone matrix the stone is carbonized, “cooked” in a heavy sugar solution. Opal has a glassy internal structure so it is impervious and unaffected by the sugar bath; but, the porous limestone matrix allows penetration of the sugar. The sugar-penetrated matrix is then blackened/carbonized in a strong acid bath, a process that has no effect on the precious opal but allows the opal play of colors to “pop” against the darkened background. This results in a stone that is a beautiful gem similar in appearance to and a far less expensive alternative to the much more expensive Lightning Ridge Australia black opal. For this reason, Andamooka matrix stones have become increasingly popular as the cost of black opal has become exceedingly high.
The last three listing photos show a polished freeform piece of the opal-bearing Andamooka matrix as mined, and without carbonization. The play of colors of precious opal is apparent and it is evident how the colors appear very subtle against the light-colored matrix. The carbonization process that allows the precious opal colors to pop against the dark matrix is time-consuming, tedious, and dangerous, but so worth the effort.
DIGITAL REPRESENTATION OF OPAL
We strive to accurately describe and depict our opal offered for sale on eBay. All measurements are accurate using standard gemology instruments. Our photos are taken in natural daylight at different seasons and times of day with an iPhone camera. With digital photography it is impossible to represent an opal with 100% accuracy. The listing photos may have the light exposure adjusted in an attempt to best show the color play of opal against background, but the color balance is not adjusted in any way. We note any imperfections and show them in the photos if possible. Before purchase please examine the photos carefully to ascertain if you find the stones acceptable. The size of our stones may be depicted with ruler or a brass caliper that shows actual dimensions, or with a US penny for scale.
PAYMENT AND SHIPMENT
Payment should be made within 7 days of the purchase. We ship by USPS First Class Mail which includes tracking and full insurance.
RETURNS
We recognize that opal can be a major purchase. If you feel this opal is not as represented please contact us to discuss any issues you may have. If it is agreed the opal will be returned for refund, you may return it in its' original condition in protective packaging within 14 days of receipt. Refund to the buyer will amount to the purchase price only, excluding the cost of outbound and return shipping.
FEEDBACK
Positive Feedback from a satisfied buyer is very important to us. If you are displeased with any aspect of our transaction, please message us so that we may rectify any problem and eliminate the need for negative feedback. We appreciate your business and thank you for trusting us.
WHO IS OUTBACK OZ OPAL?
The “we” of this narrative was a two-Geologist family unit, aspiring to acquire opal rough to cut and sell back in the US. Our initial opal purchase was made in the middle of a street in Coober Pedy, South Australia. Subsequent opal purchases of rough and finished stones were made at the Tucson, AZ Gem and Mineral Show where we developed some valuable friendships with Australian miner-cutter vendors. We learned so much about grading and cutting from them. Eventually we were able to purchase the bulk of our opal off the kitchen table at our Flagstaff home from miner-cutter dealers who routed through on the gem show circuit (Albuquerque, Durango, Denver, etc). We became known as a friendly and inexpensive home away from the minefields for a few of the miners. Ultimately one miner stored hundreds of pounds of buckets of his rough in a SeaLand container on our property to avoid the expense of returning with unsold goods to Australia.
For several years we sold opal in Flagstaff, Arizona under the name Outback Oz Opal. We sold on eBay and locally to Native American artists on the nearby Reservation. Additionally we travelled each month to a New Mexico Pueblo where we sold from the back of our pickup truck parked “under the tree”. What a dream hobby for two Geologists! But, as is always the case, life happened — a great job opportunity for the Dad in another state and Military service for the Grandson, who had grown up in the business and cut his first opal fetish when he was in Kindergarten. We're back, and deals the rest, as they say, is history!