Some would extend that avoidance to hydrophane opals too, or those that readily absorb liquids of all kinds, including oils and dyes. They have a particular sticky feel to them too.

252 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Opal:
- Hydrated form of silica
- A mineraloid (has an amorphous structure)
- Consists of silica spheres which diffract light, producing a rainbow effect
- Wood can become opalised during fossilisation
- Its name likely comes from the Sanskrit "उपल/upala" (stone) #minerals

"Nut" opals from the Koroit/Yowah opal mining fields in Australia are real, associated with the Cretaceous sediments of the Great Artesian Basin. It's still a matter of debate, but likely associated with the weathering of silica rich rocks infilling the voids of ironstone concretions in this case

Which of the ancient muses speaks to you to inspire this masterpiece

Cool design, it sort of reminds me of native silver wire

didn't know that, thanks 🙏