JH17305 Large Manhattan / Honey / Lemon / Yellow Opal on Matrix, McLaughlin Mine

Description

Up for bid is a large Opal on matrix from the Manhattan mine in Napa County, CA. This material has been called Manhattan Opal, Honey Opal, Lemon Opal and Yellow Opal. Only way to really keep track of this is to look where the material comes from. The Opal fluoresces Yellow under all UV wavelengths but is best LW. It is also phosphorescent.
This specimen has a solid chunk of Opal about 2.25” x 2” x 0.75” sitting on top of the matrix. Most of this material was collected for lapidary use so the matrix was discarded. However, from a fluorescent perspective, the Matrix is the most interesting part! From this specimen you can see that the Opal formed in layer. Below Opal is a layer with little fluorescence. However below that is a zone with a beautiful pattern of undulating and folding Yellow fluorescence. I wish there were bigger matrix specimens available so we could see what was above and below these layers.
First picture is the front of the specimen under LW UV. Second picture is front under SW UV. Third picture is front under White Light. Next three pictures are the back in the same order.
The Manhattan mine is now gone so the only place to get specimens is from collections. Since much of this material was used for lapidary, the opal was frequently removed from the matrix making pieces like this very rare.
Manhattan / Honey / Lemon / Yellow Opal (FL Yellow LW, MW, SW, phosphorescent blue-white)
Location: Manhattan Mine, Napa County, CA
Size: 4.9" x 4.5" x 2.9"
Weight: 23oz
Contact me if you have any questions. Be sure to check out my eBay store:
Jim's Obscure Stuff
for more fluorescent minerals and other unusual items.
Shipping
I use Fed Exp Ground for most of my domestic shipping. I only charge actual shipping costs with no extra charges for packing or shipping materials. I think I finally have combined shipping working on eBay. The automatic invoice from eBay should now have the correct shipping amount. If you see any problems with the shipping amount please let me know.