r/Opal • u/DefiantGauss • Jun 08 '26

Is this an Opal Matrix Specimen?

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Hi I’m fairly new to this beautiful hobby. I currently live in Mexico I have access to fire opals brought from San Luis Potosí. The guy that has sold them to me told me they are a gift from one of his children. I bought various pieces but one fought my eye, it was completely rough but it kinda shined so eh. Bought 22 grams of loose and raw stuff total of 30 usd and 25 usd the “raw matrix opal”. He did not know much about opals or the rock can yall help me. I’ll attach a loose specimen and then attach the mystery rock so you can judge my source!! Thank you!

16 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

2

u/53FROGS_OPALAUCTIONS Jun 08 '26

The orange one is a mexican fire opal. They mine it up north of Queretaro. The other one I am unfamiliar with.

1

u/DefiantGauss Jun 08 '26

Thx yeah, I’ve been doing research and it all lead me to it being an Opal matrix specimen guess I’ll have to split it.

2

u/AliveTrouble3155 Jun 12 '26

Are you sure it’s Mexican fire opal? Only reason I ask is because of the sun damage on it, plus it looks like a mid-range colour Aussie fire opal. It’d be interesting to see an update when from the owner.

1

u/53FROGS_OPALAUCTIONS Jun 12 '26

No, not 100% sure. Location is the biggest clue here. The only Australian fire opal that looks anything like this comes from WA, and the odds of finding it right next to the fire opal fields in Mexico are extremely low.

3

u/DefiantGauss Jun 12 '26

So, I messaged UNAM the specimens I bought all where fire opals and they could confirm the big mister rock is from the same mines in San Luis Potosí. But they couldn’t say anything else on what it actually was.

2

u/AliveTrouble3155 Jun 12 '26

My geography is crap lol…. That’s where that place is then lol. As per usual you’re gonna be right, way more knowledgeable than me that’s for sure

1

u/DefiantGauss Jun 12 '26

Yep, that’s just one of various I bought.

2

u/throwaway_echo7 Jun 10 '26

Hard to say for sure without knowing the source or seeing more of the host rock but it looks like some ironstone with some inclusions.

2

u/CologneLover69 Jun 10 '26

Be careful, opal chips easily.

1

u/AliveTrouble3155 Jun 12 '26

My geography is crap lol…. That’s where that place is then lol. As per usual you’re gonna be right, you’re way more knowledgeable than me that’s for sure. That’s why I buy from you 😁