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Opal is formed from a solution of silicon dioxide and water. As water runs down through the earth, it picks up silica from sandstone, and carries this silica-rich solution into cracks and voids , caused by natural faults or decomposing fossils. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a silica deposit. This cycle repeats over very long periods of time, and eventually opal is formed.
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What is unique about opal?
* Opal is the only gem that is formed by water. * Opal is the only gemstone where many different brightly coloured hues may be seen in the one stone.
What chemical formula is opal made from?
Opal is a mineraloid gel. It is made, oddly enough, almost entirely of opal. It is also completely free of birefringence, and has virtually no pleochroism. Opal is basically silica. Saying opal is made of opal is like saying quartz is made of quartz, or tiger eye is made of tiger eye. It's the unique structure of the silica that makes it become opal. The Japanese have made a nice man made opal using silica and zirconium oxide. Si02nH20
Are there different kinds of opal?
The types of Opal that i am familiar with are White Opal, Fire Opal, Boulder Opal, Black Opal, Crystal Opal, Light Opal, Doublet Opal, Triplet Opal, Common Opal, Synthetic Opal, and Immitation Opal.
How many types of opals are there?
There are 5 basic types of opal. These types are Peruvian Opal, Fire Opal, Girasol Opal, Common opal and Precious Opal.
What makes opal a gemstone?
Opal is a gemstone because of its distinctive play-of-color, which is a unique iridescence that reflects a rainbow of colors. It is formed from silica-rich solutions that fill cavities in rock formations, resulting in its characteristic color display. Opal is valued for its beauty and rarity, making it a sought-after gemstone in jewelry.
What is the rearest type of opal?
The rarest type of opal is the black opal, particularly those that originate from Lightning Ridge in Australia. Black opals feature a dark body tone that enhances their vibrant play-of-color, making them highly sought after by collectors. Other rare types include white opal with a unique play-of-color and boulder opal, which is formed within ironstone rock. Overall, the combination of color, clarity, and origin significantly impacts their rarity and value.
What group does opal belong to?
Opal belongs to the mineral group known as silicates, specifically classified as a mineraloid due to its amorphous nature and lack of a crystalline structure. It is primarily composed of silica (SiO2) and water, which contributes to its unique play of color. Opal is often formed from the deposition of silica-rich solutions in geological environments.
What is another name for opal?
Another name for opal is "fire opal."
What is the fracture of opal?
The fracture of an opal can be hard or smooth , An opal can have as many fractures as any other mineral can . Sometimes opal can be smooth , sometimes they can be hard . The fracture of an opal is hard and smooth .
What is the same about tourmaline and opal?
Both tourmaline and opal are gemstones prized for their unique and vibrant colors. They are also both formed from natural processes within the Earth's crust, with tourmaline being a crystalline boron silicate mineral and opal being a hydrated amorphous form of silica.
What is boulder opal?
Boulder opal is distinct from black opal in the following ways: * Boulder opal is usually mined in open-cut operations while black opal is mined in shafts. * Boulder opal is found in ironstone boulders, while black opal is found in seams.
What does the name opal mean?
Opal is the Australian natural gemstone and is formed from a solution of silicon dioxide and water, it ranges in colors from clear to white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. However, it is brittle, heat sensitive, and breaks and scratches easily.
