Very colourful Andamooka opal, carbonised and covered with resin - 5,06ct
Size approx. 18x12x3mm
The Andamooka Matrix Opal has been "carbonised" by me. A process in which the rough stone is placed in a glucose solution and this glucose is then carbonised in a heating process. This gives the stone a dark base so that the opal inclusions can be shown to advantage. The rough stone is light grey to white and therefore the opal layers are hardly visible without treatment.
The carbonisation is permanent. Due to the porous surface of the stone, these types of opals are difficult to polish, which is why this stone has been coated with resin.
