Opal and Plesiosaurus

Description: (Top): Precious white Opal replacement of a fossil vertebra from a 115-million-year-old plesiosaur. This specimen, from White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia, weighs 822.5 carats and measures 60 × 50 × 45 mm. It is very rare to find gem-quality Opal fossils like this intact, because gem cutters usually cut them up for production of gems for jewelry (FMNH H443). Bottom: Charles Knight mural of a plesiosaur [CK34T_JW].
Attribution: (c) Field Museum of Natural History
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Department(s)
  • Library
  • Photo Archives
  • Geology
Creator(s)
  • Photographer: John Weinstein : Field Museum of Natural History - Photography Division
Date: Created 15 Dec 2008
Citation: Courtesy of: J. Weinstein. (c) Field Museum of Natural History. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/975a313c-ea83-4f46-891e-b8a690148802 (accessed on 18 Apr 2024)
Media File URL: http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/527/750/GEO86518_3026Cd.jpg
Associated Catalog Number(s)
  • H 443
Taxon Coverage
  • [ 56.1.1.1.16 ] - SiO2.nH2O
Supplementary files available
GEO86518_3026Cd.jpg
(Top): Precious white Opal replacement of a fossil vertebra from a 115-million-year-old plesiosaur. This specimen, from White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia, weighs 822.5 carats and measures 60 × 50 × 45 mm. It is very rare to find gem-quality Opal fossils like this intact, because gem cutters usually cut them up for production of gems for jewelry (FMNH H443). Bottom: Charles Knight mural of a plesiosaur [CK34T_JW].
IRN: 527750
GUID: 975a313c-ea83-4f46-891e-b8a690148802