The nebula necklace: Breathtaking opal pendant appears to have a planetary cloud trapped inside



4.6cm wide Opal was found in Oregon, and sold by Bonhams for $ 20,000

Known as a contra luz opal, mineral formations create the incredible internal patterns



At first glance, it looks like something from a sci-fi films - an entire nebula trapped inside a stone.

However, in fact the incredible object is an opal, found in Oregon.

It was sold by auction house Bonhams for $20,000, described as 'suitable for mounting as a stunning and unique pendant .'

The breathtaking Contra Luz Opal was found in Oregon, which appears to have a nebula inside it

The Eagle Nebula, one of the two largest and sharpest images Hubble Space Telescope has ever taken

'The clear, transparent crystal body having a fine, firey play-of-color that is gem quality,' the auction house said.

Contraluz is opal where you see the play of colors suspended inside by illuminating the back of the stone.

In most opal the light has to fall on the front of the stone to see the play of fire.

'The piece has a botryoidal jasper formation which forms a unique inclusion,' Bonhams said.



The 'nebula' inside is caused by Jasper, a microcrystalline variety of the mineral Quartz.



It often contains an abundance of impurities, and therefore some regard it as a rock instead of a mineral.



Weighing approximately 119.0 carats and measuring 46.0 x 44.0 x 10.1mm, the stone was auctioned last year for $20,000

Weighing approximately 119.0 carats, it measures 46.0 x 44.0 x 10.1mm.

The Opal was mined in Opal Butte, Oregon.

The deposit at Opal Butte has been known since the late 1800's.



Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica, and its water content may range from 3% to 21%.

It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl and basalt.



The national gemstone of Australia, which produces 97% of the world's supply, the internal structure of precious opal makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed, it can take on many colors.

Precious opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black.

