Queensland Boulder Opal - Orange & Blue

From Tall Trees Studio
Solid piece of orange & blue colour Queensland Boulder Opal on Ironstone.

Boulder opal forms within ironstone boulders, which are concretions of iron-rich sediments. The silica, a key component of opal, is released into the groundwater through the weathering of surrounding rocks, particularly sandstones and mudstones.
As groundwater moves through the rock, it carries the dissolved silica.
The silica-rich water then seeps into cracks and voids within the ironstone boulders.
Over time, the silica precipitates out of the water and forms the opal, often in thin veins or layers within the ironstone. The opal is typically found in association with the ironstone, which acts as the host rock and provides a unique backing for the opal.

Measurements:
18mm long x 14mm wide x 4.8mm thick
10.5 Carats