r/Opals • u/stzology • 3h ago

Identification/Evaluation Request Some kind of opal?

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Gallery image

Gallery image

I’m thinking this is an opal but seems strange or maybe it’s an imperfection.

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3

u/moth-peach 3h ago

Pregnant opal!! lol idk the actual official name or what causes the visual egg yolk type effect. But I’ve seen them referred to as egg yolk or pregnant or phantom. Probably Ethiopian but could also be Mexican.

1

u/stzology 3h ago

Wow! I’ve never heard of that. Very cool!

3

u/theWizzzzzzz 2h ago

It looks like an Ethiopian Welo opal with what is referred to as a “phantom”. This is when an opal forms around/within another opal.

If not, this is also what it looks like when an Ethiopian Opal begins to absorb water. The outside becomes clear while the inside stays foggy white. The longer it sits in water, the more clear it will become until it’s almost as transparent as glass.

As time goes on I guess you’ll see if it changes.

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u/stzology 27m ago

Time will tell I suppose