Characteristics of opals from Simav, Turkey

Esenli F., Kumbasar I., EREN R., UZ B.

NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR MINERALOGIE-MONATSHEFTE, no.3, pp.97-113, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Journal Name: NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR MINERALOGIE-MONATSHEFTE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.97-113
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The characteristics of opals with various colours found in rhyolitic volcanic rocks from Simav district (west Anatolia, Turkey) were studied by optical, X-ray, thermoanalytical and infrared-absorption methods and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Four different silica polymorphs were distinguished. These are massy opal-CT found as nodules, prismatic trydimite crystals found in geodes with opal-CT, fibrous opal-C as spherulites and authigenic microcrystalline quartz found in the voids, fractures and matrix of the rhyolites. Opal-CT which is known as "Simav's fire opal" has high water content related to its fractured and disordered microstructure. The colour variation of massy opal-CT is due to its structural states and changes in its composition. Simav's opals were precipitated from saturated siliceous solutions under low temperatures.