
Opal
Virtual Museum ID: 17-PME20649
Specimen Summary
Form of opal that forms from out-gassing volcanic vent
Massive hyalite (a colourless form of opal) occurs as globular masses. Hyalite forms in volcanic environments as silica deposits from the gas phase. In this sample, clear globular hyalite is present both on the surface, and in filling vesicles (air pockets) in the volcanic host rock.
This sample of hyalite comes from the Arrowstone Hills, about 10 km northeast of Cache Creek in the Southern Interior region of BC.
Specimen Data
The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.
Collection Details
Original Collection:
Pacific Museum of Earth (PME)Sub Collection:
Sutton-ThompsonCollection ID:
PME-20649Virtual Museum ID:
17-PME20649Accessibility:
Date Added to VM:
2017-12-08Location Information
Sample Origin:
Arrowstone Hills, British ColumbiaSpecific Site:
-UTM Easting:
614784.2286UTM Northing:
5645317.122Datum:
10 (NAD 83)Coordinate Accuracy:
ApproximateSpecimen Details
VM Category:
MineralPrimary Features:
OpalPrimary Mineral Formula:
SiO2 · nH2OPrimary Category:
oxideSecondary Features:
Advanced Geological Information
The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.
Geological Formation:
N/AGeological Period:
N/AStratigraphic Age:
N/AGeological Belt:
N/AGeological Terrane:
N/AMinfile ID:
N/AMinfile Link:
Site Details:
N/AAdditional Images