Hyalite

specimen number:
2133259

location:
San Luis Potosi, Mexico

description:
A loose bubbly gemmy colorless cluster of hyalite opal. In great condition all around.

Hyalite, also known as Muller's glass, is a colorless and transparent variety of opal that lacks the internal play-of-color found in precious opal. Geologically, it forms as a secondary mineral deposited from silica-rich volcanic gases or hydrothermal fluids, typically appearing as botryoidal (grape-like) crusts or globular masses lining the cavities and vesicles of igneous rocks like basalt, rhyolite, or trachyte. Unlike other opals, hyalite consists of a disordered arrangement of silica spheres and contains a small percentage of water, giving it a glass-like appearance with a vitreous luster. One of its most famous characteristics is its intense green fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light, which is caused by the inclusion of trace amounts of uranyl ions within the silica structure. While it has been found in numerous volcanic regions globally, such as Mexico, Iceland, and the United States, it remains a favorite among collectors for its crystal-clear aesthetics and its dramatic reaction to UV radiation.

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