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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 6, 2007 17:28:29 GMT -5
I've read a couple of threads here.....I've searched the net and seen many pics and I have read a few definitions and I swear to buddha I can't yet find where opalized pet wood is any different looking than any other peice of metamorphic pet wood. I've seen pics on the web that advertise as opalized wood but hell some of it looks like what we have collected.
Now, one big peice I saw here on the board had the colors I'd expect to rightfully call it "opalized". Also, I saw a couple peices on the net that matched what I saw here. But I saw ALOT more stuff that didn't have any where near the colors of what I saw here advertised as opalized wood.
What am I missing here?
It's a freaking enigma to me.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2007 17:35:49 GMT -5
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Apr 6, 2007 17:41:37 GMT -5
Only gem opal has the flashy colours. Common opal doesn't, and is much more, well, common. I believe opal is essentially quartz that has water in its chemical structure -- hydrated silicon dioxide.
Neph, that is one wild piece! -Don
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Apr 6, 2007 17:53:08 GMT -5
I would go with the "glassy" qualifier. A lot of stuff falls under the catagory of petrified wood. I think of the commonly red and yellow colored material found in places like Arizona's petrified forest as being "agatized". If it appeals "glassy" that is- particularly shiny or even translucent and yet still has some wood qualities, I'd call it opalized wood. If it is entirely glassy with no sign of wood cells apart from a bark-like outer rind, I'd call it a limb cast.
I'd expect opalized wood to be a point or two softer than the agatized counterparts as well.
But none of this is really official or even expert opinion, just my personal observations.
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Post by freeform on Apr 6, 2007 18:31:40 GMT -5
Ya, a very glassy look can denote opalized wood. however, even certain types of opalsized wood can be grainy or grity. Keep in mind, how the wood breaks. THough both agate and opal can produce a similar break or cleavage. Pure opal wood like the material from gabbs can really put a glass like edge on shards and pieces when broken.
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 6, 2007 18:38:27 GMT -5
Thank goodness this thread has some good activity. I'll post a pic of this peice I have. It was found with some road pavement rocks along the side of a Scurry county dirt road somehow.
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 6, 2007 18:57:23 GMT -5
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Post by deb193 on Apr 6, 2007 19:24:48 GMT -5
I'm thinking not opal, because it is usually lighter. There is a glassy (sometimes waxy) look to opal. It has not crystal structure (not vitreous). Vitreous refers to a material in an amorphous, glassy state (in contrast to a crystalline state). I my experience a little less dense than quartz.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 6, 2007 20:05:16 GMT -5
Opalized wood is difficult at best! The keys I look for is that "wet" appearence even when dry- In your last picture- where the light is reflected off the slab- that is what Opalized wood looks like when dry- As a matter of fact- opalized wood will often seem to repel water- it is almost like it was treated with Rain-X!!!!
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Post by snowdog on Apr 6, 2007 20:47:27 GMT -5
here's a pic of what I'd say is typical --- this is dry
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Post by texaswoodie on Apr 6, 2007 20:58:22 GMT -5
I don't know if I can add anything or not. I'm certainly no expert. If it's shiny when dry, slick, almost greasy feeling, I call it opalized wood.
One crazy thing about rocks is that in a lot of cases, you can call them what you want to and get very little argument out of anyone.
We have a lot of strange stuff around here that I'm not sure about. In most cases I call it Jasper and no one seems to mind. :-)
Curt
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 7, 2007 8:14:56 GMT -5
Great replies! I'm getting a much clearer handle on it now. Thanks!
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Apr 7, 2007 8:53:04 GMT -5
Great topic, I have a lot of wood that I have been wondering about. Could this be Opalized wood? It is very glassy.
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 7, 2007 8:54:47 GMT -5
It doesn't look wet so from what I've read....it would be. Man it sure is pretty!
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Apr 7, 2007 9:04:24 GMT -5
It is pictured dry. Well if it is I hope someone wins the 7 pounder from here. I have it on e bay as petrified wood and only $14. I am sure it is worth more
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 7, 2007 9:21:46 GMT -5
Hey nmonyx, I clicked on your link in your profile to ebay....but I don't see the piece above.
nm....found it....lol
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Apr 7, 2007 10:15:50 GMT -5
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 7, 2007 13:01:51 GMT -5
Great link Dan. Gracias!
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Post by texaswoodie on Apr 7, 2007 19:29:09 GMT -5
Mitch Take a look at puppie's wood in the photo section. In my humble and inexperienced opinion, that is No.1, Grade A opalized wood.
Curt
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Apr 7, 2007 19:46:17 GMT -5
Mitch Take a look at puppie's wood in the photo section. In my humble and inexperienced opinion, that is No.1, Grade A opalized wood. Curt Gasp! I see it! I see ALL of it! What a magnificent piece!
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