| The name Opal is derived from the Greek name | | | | Opal and Fire Opal and also called common opal. |
| "opallios" and from the Sanskrit "upala", meaning | | | | Each one has its own distinctive colors and |
| "Precious Stone". It is different from most | | | | characteristics. |
| precious gems because of its non-crystalline | | | | Value: |
| crystal system, or amorphous, in nature. Opal is | | | | An opal's value depends on its body color, play of |
| allochromatic and comes in a variety of colors, | | | | color, and soundness. There is no comparison |
| the most valued being black. Other forms include | | | | between the value of noble opal and that of fire |
| white (milk opal), red (fire opal), or colorless | | | | opal, which is quite inexpensive even compared |
| (water opal). The most striking features of | | | | with other minor gems. It is worth somewhat |
| precious opal are the sheen effects it exhibits | | | | more when a few splashes of color are visible |
| when turned in the light, known as "play of color". | | | | inside the stone. It is valued by collectors as a |
| This is caused by minute spheres of silica that | | | | curiosity but is little used in jewelry. A black opal, |
| reflect and diffract white light. This effect is | | | | free from flaws and with a uniform pattern made |
| known as "opalescence". Smaller spheres produce | | | | up of bright clear colors, including red, may be |
| only blues and greens, whereas larger ones | | | | worth more per carat than diamond. Common |
| produce the whole spectrum. Black opals highlight | | | | opals do not exhibit play of color and, as a result, |
| play of color most dramatically. Opals look very | | | | are valueless. |
| good in simple jewelry settings and look | | | | History and Healing Uses: |
| particularly attractive, when they are set in rings. | | | | Opals were adored by the ancient Romans; used |
| Identification: | | | | as an eye tonic in the Middle Ages; celebrated by |
| Opal has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 and specific | | | | Shakespeare; and were a favorite gemstone of |
| gravity of 2.1 to 2.2 and has a low density. It is | | | | Queen Victoria. The most common and popular |
| transparent to opaque, has a vitreous, greasy, | | | | background is milk white, it is called White Precious |
| dull, or waxy luster, and leaves a white streak. It | | | | Opal. The stone can be used to enhance psychic |
| is singly refractive, and it is porous. In this case, it | | | | awareness as well as energizing all levels and |
| is dangerous to immerse it in any liquids other | | | | areas of the body, because of the rainbow of |
| than water. | | | | colors that is contained with it. |
| Occurrence: | | | | Simulants and Synthetics: |
| One area of former Czechoslovakia formerly | | | | It was long considered impossible to imitate opal. |
| belonging to Hungary has been mining Opal since | | | | In recent years, however, an imitation, which, at |
| Roman times and was the only source of noble | | | | first sight, looks deceptively similar to opal, has |
| Opal to Europeans. In modern times, most opals | | | | appeared on the market. It is called "Slocum |
| are coming from Australia where the finest quality | | | | Stone" after its inventor. A plastic imitation has |
| opals are found. Other sources are mainly Mexico, | | | | also recently come onto the market and it is very |
| Guatemala, Honduras, United States and Iceland. | | | | similar to natural opal, being composed of |
| Varieties: | | | | microscopic spheres, like opal. White opal has been |
| There are few varieties, but mainly there are 3 | | | | manufactured synthetically by the French |
| varieties that are most popular in gem business | | | | Company for nearly a decade. |
| are follows: White Precious Opal, Black Precious | | | | |