answersLogoWhite

0

Opals typically take thousands to millions of years to form. They are created when silica-rich water seeps into cracks and cavities in rock, depositing silica spheres that diffract light to create their unique play-of-color.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

1y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Chemistry

How the mineral opal form?

Opal forms when silica-rich water seeps into cracks and cavities in rocks, then evaporates and leaves behind solid silica deposits. Over time, these deposits can stack up and form opal, with the play-of-color effect being created by the interaction of light with the silica spheres within the stone.


How is halite different from opal?

Halite is a naturally occurring mineral form of sodium chloride, commonly known as rock salt, while opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica with a characteristic play-of-color. Halite is typically colorless or white, whereas opal can display a wide range of colors due to its internal structure diffracting light.


How is opal processed?

Opal is a gemstone that is typically cut and polished to enhance its color and brilliance. The rough opal is first carefully shaped into the desired form, then the surface is smoothed and polished using various techniques such as cutting, grinding, and polishing with diamond tools. This process aims to reveal the unique play of color within the stone.


Is diatomite an example of opal silica?

Yes, diatomite is a type of sedimentary rock made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of single-celled algae. Opal silica, on the other hand, refers to a non-crystalline form of silica that can be found in amorphous, hydrated, or gel-like states. While diatomite contains opal silica, they are not the same thing.


Does opal have a smell?

No, opal gemstones do not have a smell. They are composed of silica and water, and their scent is neutral.

Related Questions

What is the form of Opal?

Opal has no definitive form. The word used to describe opal is "amorphous" which means: lacking definite form - having no specific shape.


Is opal similar to peridot?

No. Opal is an amorphous hydrated form of silica.


What is the chemical name for opal?

Opal is a form of silica, amorphous and hydrated: SiO2.nH2O.


Is an opal a rock?

No, it's actually a form of silica.


Where are opals made?

Australian Opal are dug and cut both on the opal fields and in the city's. they are found in New South Wales (NSW) - The Home of Black Opal New South Wales produces most of the Opal of Australia. Lightning Ridge opal is the darkest and most valuable form of opal. White Cliffs, produces white or crystal opal in the form of 'seam White Cliffs is also noted for the production of 'opal pineapples' Queensland produces boulder opal, these occur in deposits in weathered sedimentary Cretaceous rocks in the west of the state Quilpie, Queensland the largest producer of boulder opal in the world Winton, Queensland Opalton, Queensland Yowah, Queensland home of the opal refered to as Yowah Nut, South Australia - The White Opal Fields South Australia has 4 working opal fields, Andamooka, Coober Pedy, Lambina and Mintabie. South Australia produces the largest amount of opal and this is known as milky opal. Coober Pedy produces most the world's white opal. Andamooka, South Australia Mintabie, South Australia Lambina, South Australia


How does opal forget winn dixie at the party?

Opal forgets winn dixie because at the party all of the sudden started raining and opal went to take the food inside gloria's house


How does gurtrude treat opal?

Gertrude doesn't exactly address or show any emotion to Opal at all, but she does take a liking for Winn-Dixie.


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 long does it take for a valley to form?

how long did it take for Kagan valley toform


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.


How the mineral opal form?

Opal forms when silica-rich water seeps into cracks and cavities in rocks, then evaporates and leaves behind solid silica deposits. Over time, these deposits can stack up and form opal, with the play-of-color effect being created by the interaction of light with the silica spheres within the stone.


How Long Does Cucumber Take From Planting To Harvesting?

how long does it take a cucumber take form sowing to harvesting