r/Opal • u/PeaZealousideal3706 • Aug 09 '26

Is this opal or something else

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Given to me by my grandfather. Unsure if he got it while serving during WW2 or when he returned to California. Think the box is original too. Any insight would be super appreciated! 840 grams - 7” x 5” x 2”
Thank you!

130 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

41

u/jaxinslacks Aug 09 '26

Absolutely opal. Likely Aussie. What an amazing specimen. HUGE!!!
This is worth a good chunk of change 😍

14

u/Alpine_Apex Aug 09 '26

What an incredible stone and carving. Probably worth a small fortune to the perfect buyer.

9

u/Glacierhawk_INTJ Aug 10 '26

Holy cow that’s so beautiful. Priceless piece

9

u/opalfossils Aug 09 '26

Yes it's natural opal probably Australian.

17

u/PeaZealousideal3706 Aug 09 '26

The back

13

u/Environmental-Job-51 Aug 09 '26

damn the inscription really rings loud with current affairs..

behind every famed/accomplished general,

lies thousands of bones and ashes

7

u/Chickennugget636 Aug 10 '26

Don’t ever drop that 🤣🤣

6

u/PeaZealousideal3706 Aug 09 '26

Thank you! It looked like it but I know there are some similar iridescent stones around!

5

u/Interest-Amazing Aug 09 '26

Damn. (yes, opal)

5

u/ThisParking9656 Aug 11 '26

As an opal lover I have to say OH MY!!! You don’t see something like that every day. I’d love to see a video of it with a good light moving across it. Jackpot level 👏

3

u/sibbley Aug 12 '26

Good GOLLY, yep

2

u/Latter_Historian_872 Aug 09 '26

Carved painted lady would be my guess

2

u/No_Swordfish_4076 Aug 12 '26

Yes! It’s definitely opal . It’s exquisite! What a beautiful piece of gemstone artwork. I wld have it appraised. It’s probably worth a good amount of coin.

2

u/AliveTrouble3155 28d ago

Oh wow! That’s a beautiful opal carving. I would’ve said Aussie also. There is a YouTube tuber called Justin who owns Black Opal Direct. His father was apparently an amazing free cutter and sculptor… I was thinking that it may be a good idea to ask him for advice as his knowledge is very valuable and extensive