Hyalite Opal, on Basalt, Gallatin Co., near Bozeman, MT, USA.

Description

Hyalite Opal, Fluorescent, from Montana! Even though crusts of Hyalite Opal have been known from Montana for decades, good quality specimens are rarely seen on the market from the state. A new claim in Gallatin Co., MT, has recently produced specimens of a quality rare to the state, more reminiscent of classic Mexican and Hungarian Hyalite Opal. I will post a number of these pieces in the upcoming period.
Forget about size, this is one of my favorite pieces in the whole lot! If put sideways, it would fit in a thumbnail box. The shape of the top is great, kinda like a Christmas three, or a shrub. A nice, "pyramidal" formation of great transparent Hyalite. Enough Basalt on the base to provide a compelling geological contrast. This little gem is 7 grams, but I implore the viewer to look beyond size on this one, as the height is still about an inch when mounted. Also, it lights up "like a Christmas tree", under UV!
The here presented example is great for the species, as well as Montana as a locality, but also for collectors of Fluorescent minerals. Apologies for the poor photo's, as Hyalite is difficult to photograph, short of a professional photography set up, leave alone out of hand with a Phone camera....
However, as the photo's show, this is great Hyalite, perched in the center of it's host rock, which is Basalt. As shown, Hyalite is very Fluorescent under Shortwave UV, and displays a vivid lime green glow.
Please be advised, I ship with Priority shipping, small box.