Peruvian opal
Variety SiO2·nH2O
Also called Andean opal, Pink opal, and Blue opal
Take care.
- Sensitive to heat: Keep it away from heat and sudden changes of temperature, including hot lights and ultrasonic cleaners.
About it
Common opal from the Andes of Peru in soft blue-green and pink, with no play-of-colour. Pink kinds often contain the clay mineral palygorskite.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Opal variety
- Formula
- SiO2·nH2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 1.98–2.25
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- waxy, vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Amorphous (no crystal structure)
- Colours
- blue, blue-green, pink
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.