Opal

specimen number:
1052865

location:
Saphane Dagi, Pazarlar, Kutahya, Turkey

description:
Neat old classic from Turkey, bright orange red fire opal on matrix. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the very early 20th century.

The Saphane Dagi area near Pazarlar and Kutahya in western Turkey is uniquely situated in the northern block of the Simav Graben, closely associated with regional volcanic and hydrothermal formations. Geologically, the deposits developed as silica-rich hydrothermal solutions ascended through secondary fault zones crosscutting major tectonic structures, precipitating hydrous silica under lower pressure and temperature conditions. Mineralogically, the region is famous for producing notable deposits of fire opal, an amorphous hydrated silica characterized by transparent to translucent body colors ranging from vibrant yellow and orange to deep red, driven by iron oxide impurities. Historically, while local occurrences have ancient roots tracing back centuries, modern mining interest and exploration began overlapping with nearby alunite and industrial mineral operations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, establishing the area as a prominent source of gem-quality rough material.

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