Opal with roots rough to finish in steps

[SwordfishMining]

Hiya. I have a piece of opalized wood that has the roots phenomenon. I mined it at the Bonanza & was put in a jar of water to keep it clear to show off the contraluz and roots best. It had got some algae in the mud over the years and eventually lost all the water. That little black chip from a few posts back was also in there.
I dried it out for a month or so, then Star Bonded it. This is it. Have not got to grinding on it yet. Some of the clear went white and some small localized cracks appeared. First step will be to take off the chalky surface on the flat side of the round down to opal & wood, hopefully POC. Remove the lump of duff mud on the side until the opal POC is revealed. Then I can see if the play of color presents itself one way or another to polish a face as a specimen or remove a gem out of the middle. Odds are with the roots being not a big sales feature in gem to set, it will be a case specimen. I will likely have to retreat it with Starbond at some point if the penetration was not total, which is common with thick pieces.

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining

Opalized Wood with roots Swordfish Mining