Opal Butte Specimen — Oregon Rhyolite, Golden Hues

This Opal Butte specimen comes from the Butte Mine in Morrow County, Oregon, one of only a handful of notable opal-producing sites in the United States. Sitting on its natural rhyolite matrix, this piece is clear with soft golden hues, a stable specimen that shows the opal exactly as it formed in the volcanic rock around it.

So what makes Opal Butte material distinctive? The opal here formed inside rhyolite geodes, sometimes called thundereggs, where silica-rich groundwater filled cavities in ancient volcanic rock. Opal Butte has been known to collectors since the late 1800s, though it was not commercially mined until 1987, and genuine play-of-colour material from the site remains a small fraction of everything found there.

About this specimen

This particular piece is a clear, stable specimen with attractive golden tones, a good example of the more common, non-colour-play opal that makes up most Opal Butte production. Its matrix attachment shows the natural relationship between the opal and its rhyolite host, appreciated by collectors specifically for that geological context.

• Stone: natural Opal on rhyolite matrix
• Origin: Butte Mine, Morrow County, Oregon, USA
• Size: 50 x 45 x 26mm, 53g (1.9 oz)

Displaying your specimen

A mineral stand or display case out of strong direct sun suits this piece well. Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid water or harsh cleaners, which can affect the opal's delicate structure, since opal contains a small amount of water within itself and can be sensitive to rapid changes.

Please note: crystals are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Keep small pieces away from young children.