Pink Opal Flatstone

Pink Opal Facts

Peruvian Pink Opal is a rare and fascinating variety of common opal, treasured for its soft blush-pink colour and unique geological story. Formed in ancient volcanic environments of Peru, this opal is classified as opal-CT, meaning its structure contains microscopic silica structures related to cristobalite and tridymite that developed as the material slowly reorganised over millions of years. The presence of these structures provides clues about the silica-rich conditions in which it formed, where mineral-rich fluids interacted with clay minerals such as palygorskite. The microscopic fibres of palygorskite helped preserve natural quinone compounds derived from ancient organic matter, which are responsible for the opal’s delicate pink colour. This rare combination of opal-CT, palygorskite, and fossil organic compounds makes Peruvian Pink Opal one of the most scientifically intriguing varieties of opal.