Pink Opal
- mixture of opal, palygorskite with minor chalcedony
- translucent to opaque
- creamy pink, pale pink, white, with black or brown inclusion
- no play-of-color
Identification
- Optic Character: SR, ADR common due to strain
- Refractive Index: 1.450 (+.020,-.080). Mexican opal may read as low as 1.37. but it is
- generally 1.42 to 1.43.
- Birefringence: none
- Pleochroism: none
- Ultraviolet Fluorescence: common opal: inert to strong green or yellowish green (LW and SW); may phosphoresc
- Specific Gravity: 2.15 (+.08, -.90)
- Polish Luster: vitreous to resinous
- Luster: waxy (the latter is more typical of common opal)
- Hardness: 5 to 6 1/2
- Toughness: very poor to fair
Major Sources: Peru
Stone information is reference from
Gem Reference Guide, Published by GIA. ISBN 0-87311-019-6
Gemstones of the World, Published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc NY, ISBN 1-4027-4016-6
Encyclopedia of GEMSTONE, Published by ISHINSHA CO., LTD. ISBN 978-986-251-831-1
https://www.mindat.org/min-28956.html
https://www.gemdat.org/gem-28956.html
