Ópalo Menilito
Ópalo is a mineral with formula SiO₂·nH₂O, in the Mineraloides (Óxidos) group. This specimen comes from Embalse de Camarillas, Agramón, Hellín, Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2024.
Description
Mammilliform nodule with basal folds. Nature is capricious.
About Ópalo
A non-precious opal variety of sedimentary origin, formed by silica accumulation in lacustrine and diagenetic settings, producing compact botryoidal forms. Its rounded shapes often resemble human or animal figures; in the area they have historically been called "idolillos". It is said that in prehistory they were used in rituals or as amulets.
About the locality
The abundance of this whitish, dull opal in the Embalse de Camarillas area is due to ancient lakes populated by diatoms, microscopic algae with silica skeletons that, on dying, formed layers of white mud (diatomite). This material dissolved and resolidified into these typical nodular forms.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0398
- Composition
- SiO₂·nH₂O
- Name
- Ópalo
- Variety
- Menilito
- Group
- Mineraloides (Óxidos)
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Matrix
- Caliza
- Mine
- Embalse de Camarillas
- District / Municipality
- Agramón, Hellín
- Province
- Albacete
- Region
- Castilla-La Mancha
- Country
- España
- Acquired
- 2024
- Etymology
- From Sanskrit upala, meaning precious stone. But 'menilite' is a toponym, referring to the place of its original discovery, Ménilmontant, a district of Paris.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España