A form of common Opal that has dark dendritic, tubular or orbicular markings within the base Opal, which can be composed of Manganese, the dendrites (plumes) often appear to be shaped like mosses, ferns or trees.
Scale in mm. A crystal dendrite is a crystal that develops with a typical multi-branching tree-like form. Dendritic crystal growth is very common and illustrated by snowflake formation and frost patterns on a window. Dendritic crystallization forms a natural fractal pattern. Light diffracts into a spectrum of colours through ordered micro-silica spheres within Precious Opal. There are over 60 named variety of Opal making identification difficult. Dendritic Opal or Moss Opal is the name given to any Opal included with tree or fern like silicates or manganese oxides. Merlinite is a trade name for Opalised white Chalcedony included with Psilomelane (Romanechite). Crystal Description. Opal is a hydrous silicon dioxide mineraloid (it has no crystalline structure, and between 10% to 20% water content). Metaphysical Properties. Dendritic Opal promotes spiritual growth. Merlinite is said to be the stone of alchemists, Shamans, Wizards and magicians. Merlinite supports all forms of ritual, providing a portal to the axis mundi. Crystal Description. Opal is a hydrous silicon dioxide mineraloid (it has no crystalline structure, and between 10% to 20% water content). Please note that Dendritic Opal is sometimes referred to by the metaphysical name of Merlinite, a crystal which is very similar in chemical composition and appearance. Dendritic Opal supports one’s intent and helps one to organize one’s thoughts, feelings and actions, so that one becomes discerning and is able to be accepting of others. This in turn helps one become non judgmental, just acknowledging others for who they are, an important lesson for one’s growth. You can call the stone Dendritic Opal if the stone as a glassy (opal like appearance) and dendritic (moss like / tree like patterns) as our two examples here have, if the stone is more solid in appearance then stone is Dendritic Agate. Neither are true OPALs!  Due to its dendritic inclusions, dendritic agate bears some similarities to moss opal. However, dendritic agate is not referred to as 'moss agate'. In fact there is a another gemstone called moss agate, which has inclusions of green hornblende in moss-like patterns. Dendritic agate deposits are found in Brazil, India, Madagascar, the USA, Mexico and Kazakhstan. Dendritic agate is believed to facilitate communication with nature It is a variety of Dendritic Opal, and sometimes has an opalescent sheen. It may contain a blend of white chalcedony or white quartz, black dendritic inclusions and black Psilomelane, depending on the individual stone. Merlinite is black and white, although its black color ranges from dark grey to bluish-black.  Growth. Dendritic Opal is a form of common Opal that has dark dendritic, tubular or orbicular markings within the base Opal, which can be composed of Manganese, the dendrites (plumes) often appear to be shaped like mosses, ferns or trees. Dendritic Opal supports one’s intent and helps one to organize one’s thoughts, feelings and actions, so that one becomes discerning and is able to be accepting of others. This in turn helps one become non judgmental, just acknowledging others for who they are, an important lesson for one’s growth. Rock Review: Dendritic Opal. In today’s rock review will take a look at an “international gem of mystery”, the Dendritic Opal. It is found across the globe, and colors range in many neutral tones, from tans to grays often mottled with white. Part of what makes Dendritic Opal so beautiful is its dark branching formations called dendrites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrite_(crystal) https://www.spiritofisis.org/knowledge/crystal_files/opal_dendritic.htm https://www.spiritofisis.org/knowledge/crystal_files/opal_dendritic.htm http://www.soulfulcrystals.co.uk/dendritic-opal http://www.shamanscrystal.co.uk/crystal/536/merlinite-dendritic-opal http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/about-dendritic-agate.php http://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/merlinite.html http://www.soulfulcrystals.co.uk/dendritic-opal http://laynedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/rock-review-dendritic-opal.html
what is dendritic opal