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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Lapidary
Anyone treated fairy opal before?
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<blockquote data-quote="shivan" data-source="post: 314186" data-attributes="member: 194"><p>G'day Ken, when i first read about talk of the Andamooka matrix being limestone and the opal being impregnated i assumed it was similar to the sandstone. As i have only looked at photos online it is hard to make out any fine details. </p><p></p><p>I was wondering if perhaps the opal only partially replaced bits of the limestone, or if it was replacing the whole rock? Because if it was fully replacing it, i would think as you say it would just be opal and not a matrix opal? But if it only partially replaces the limestone one would have to think the rest of the limestone was at least altered if not replaced by something else because there seems to be no reaction during the acid stage of treatment?</p><p></p><p>I guess a bit more reading is in order.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I fully understand, again i am just happy for some conformation that there is a different treatment for the fairy opal. I did read about a company claiming to have their own patented technique for treating fairy opal, but was not sure if they were talking about acid or not.</p><p></p><p>As i said i have some opticon handy so will give that a try on a small piece after treating it with sugar, if it works great, if not nothing lost from having a go.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="shivan, post: 314186, member: 194"] G'day Ken, when i first read about talk of the Andamooka matrix being limestone and the opal being impregnated i assumed it was similar to the sandstone. As i have only looked at photos online it is hard to make out any fine details. I was wondering if perhaps the opal only partially replaced bits of the limestone, or if it was replacing the whole rock? Because if it was fully replacing it, i would think as you say it would just be opal and not a matrix opal? But if it only partially replaces the limestone one would have to think the rest of the limestone was at least altered if not replaced by something else because there seems to be no reaction during the acid stage of treatment? I guess a bit more reading is in order. I fully understand, again i am just happy for some conformation that there is a different treatment for the fairy opal. I did read about a company claiming to have their own patented technique for treating fairy opal, but was not sure if they were talking about acid or not. As i said i have some opticon handy so will give that a try on a small piece after treating it with sugar, if it works great, if not nothing lost from having a go. [/QUOTE]
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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Lapidary
Anyone treated fairy opal before?
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