Pink Opal Rough Value Guide

Sourced from the Andes Mountains in Peru, Pink Opal Rough is a prized Holocene-era specimen known as the 'Stone of Hope.' This common opal variety is historically significant as a sacred gift to Pachamama, the Inca Mother Earth goddess, valued for its uniform candy-pink coloration.

What Is Pink Opal Rough Worth?

The typical price range for Pink Opal Rough is $10 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Intensity and uniformity of the pink color, with deeper 'bubblegum' shades commanding higher interest.
• The presence and distribution of dark dendritic or earthy inclusions which can either add character or detract from purity.
• Overall size and weight of the rough specimen, typically valued between $10 and $15 for standard hand-sized pieces.
• The quality of the raw surface, specifically the absence of excessive fracturing or crumbling.

How to Identify Pink Opal Rough?

• Look for a characteristic milky, opaque finish without the 'play of color' seen in precious opals.
• Examine the specimen for natural earthy inclusions and a waxy to vitreous luster typical of Peruvian deposits.
• Verify the specific candy-pink hue which is caused by trace amounts of manganese within the silicon dioxide structure.
• Check for a high water content and a lack of crystalline structure, confirming its status as an amorphous mineraloid.

History of Pink Opal Rough

Pink opal is primarily found in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Known as the Stone of Hope, it was considered a sacred gift from Pachamama, the Inca Mother Earth goddess. Unlike precious opal, common pink opal does not display a play of color, but is instead valued for its soft, uniform candy-pink hues.