An extremely rare piece showing off a natural nodule of intense Red Fire Opal perched in a rare specimen with the host rock matrix . The bright and translucent to transparent gem nodule is mostly complete, and has a finely polished surface where the opal surface was polished lightly to look within, once it was discovered. Of carving grade quality, rare in size and saturation, and also preserving the natural matrix and environment in which these form.
Fire opal is one of the more rare varieties of opal, and the best are known from this remote location in Mexico. Mike Scott had a passionate love for gemstones and jewelry arts, and therefore also for the raw minerals and gemstone species of crystals that were the source of such beauty in gems and jewels. He prided himself on seeking out unusual and important, often large, examples of the various forms of rough materials used for gems and jewelry; and after his time as CEO at Apple, built a large collection of gemstones accented by these natural mineral specimens.

3³⁄₄ x 3¹⁄₂ x 2²⁄₃in. (9.5 x 9.0 x 6.7 cm.)
450 g.

ex Rolf Wein collection, Stuttgart.
Mike Scott, acquired from the above, 2000.