Virgin Valley Opal

This rare opal has brilliant red, blue, green, and orange colors with a fiery play of color. Its lapse depends on the texture, which varies from smooth and glassy to a more resinous feel, with patterns that range from swirling iridescence to patchy color bursts. Some specimens even have a phenomenon called “contra luz,” where you can see the colors only under a certain light source.

Made mostly with hydrated silica, it has up to 20 percent water component and can be very sensitive to drying. The fact that it is non-crystalline in structure adds to the mesmerizing glow inside itself. Unlike some other opals, this variety can be unstable and may crack up during of drying.

Primarily located in the Virgin Valley of Nevada, it was once popularized in the early 1900s. Native American tribes pampered their beauty long before any prospector would set foot on it to mine it for its brilliant, fiery uniqueness. In time, it became a prized buy and a collector’s dream; its all-terrain bewitching color would spellbind any hand that strayed in its wake.

For collectors, this is prized because of its rarity and really lively color plays. Some people think it has magical energy that triggers and enhances intuition and creativity. Fragile and highly prized, it is not quite a faring addition to the gemstone collection and is usually kept in water to avoid cracking.

Did you know some specimens develop fully into fossilized wood? These opals replace ancient tree matter over millions of years, preserving detailed wood textures while glowing with vibrant, opalescent colors.