Andamooka, South Australia
Like all matrix opal material from this region this specimen has been sugar treated by the miners before being honed to a superb level of polish. The process—a classic and long-standing tradition—involves soaking the original rough specimen in a sugar solution and then boiling it in acid to deposit carbon in the available pore spaces, resulting in a dark background. The procedure is performed to reveal the excellent pinpoint fire and play-of-color of the mineral within the matrix. The present object, carved to depict a seated Buddha possesses good carving detail. Classic layering of the opal matrix, just as it was mined, is visible with a sharp natural division line where the two layers meet. The play-of-color is excellent with predominantly green and blue flash to the front and orange-brown to the obverse.
Weighing approximately 243.5 carats and measuring 2 x 1 7/8 x ½ in