Large Blue Opal Designer Cut Cabochon

This large high-domed Peruvian Blue Opal cabochon from a new find in Peru has unreal gemmy blue coloring with a little bit of contrasting matrix within it. The camera really doesn't do this one justice! Definitely a one of a kind stone for a High End piece of jewelry or a top shelf cab for a collector. This is not the translucent type of Blue Opal, but I'd say it's more like Opalized Chrysocolla, with a vibrant blue color that just grabs your attention. Definitely the best I've seen of this material to date, though I'm hoping to get more!

Peruvian Blue Opal Designer Cabochon
50.2 x 20.5 x 8.9mm
55.12 cts.

I cut this cab by hand and it's been highly polished both front and back with slightly rounded bottom edges for easy setting.

Note that all my photos were taken using full spectrum lighting, which does fairly well in replicating natural sunlight. However, almost all cut stones will look best and brightest in direct sunlight.

Information on Peruvian Blue Opal: Found in the Andes Mountains of Peru (and sometimes referred to as Andean Opal), this form of opal has no play of color, but is a beautiful tranquil sea-blue color. This opal is found in seams and sometimes includes black dendtritic inclusions resembling ferns or trees. It has been known to the natives and was used by the Incas centuries ago, but is still relatively rare on the current market. As with all opal, this stone is made up of silica spheres and water, which make it sensitive to extremes of heat and cold. It is helpful to keep stored in a cool (but not freezing) place, wrapped in a soft cloth (moistening the cloth can also help the preservation).

Folklore/Metaphysical Properties: Perhaps because of the soothing color, Peruvian Blue Opal is most often mentioned as a calming stone which can aid in meditation, stress reduction or to induce sleep. It is also considered an aid to creativity and communication.