Large, DRY partially polished Precious Black Opal limbcast, from the world famous Virgin Valley of Nevada, USA. These are hard to get in complete gem opal, and rarely seen dry like this without the entire surface full of hundreds of craze marks. This one has a some, but is excellent compared to most others. Very rare piece in that the Black Opal is on the skin rather the interior/core, (most Virgin Valley pieces have a lighter "skin" and dark core). In the bright light this piece becomes SPECTACULAR with dominant REDS. Most, 99% of opal from Virgin Valley is unstable, and not suitable for cut stones, and kept wet. This has been DRY for a long time. What would something like this be worth as a cut stone per carat? Quite High as collector stones! Honestly I would not risk cutting it, and it would be a travesty to cut it anyway as it is a very excellent specimen! Excellent rainbow colors. High end, Museum Quality piece. This will probably be the last one of these that I sell. Most museums don't have a piece this good from the Valley, with exception of the SI, AMNH, Cranbrook, LA, and 2-3 others... I have been involved with Virgin Valley Opals since the early 1990s (digging them from the late 1980s on) and have alot of experience with them and the mines. I value this MUSEUM QUALITY SPECIMEN piece at $25k retail in the high end collectors market. One of my 3 best DRY pieces from the valley that we kept for our personal collection.
Weighs 99 grams (or 495 carats) and measures 2&1/8x1&3/8x1 inches in maximum dimensions.