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The main differences between white opal, black opal, and common opal lie in their appearance, color play, and rarity:

  1. White Opal:

    • Color: White opal typically has a milky or pale white body color with vibrant flashes of colors like blue, green, and red.
    • Transparency: It can be translucent to semi-translucent.
    • Commonality: White opal is more common and affordable compared to black opal.
    • Origin: Found in various places including Australia (like Coober Pedy), Brazil, and Ethiopia.
  2. Black Opal:

    • Color: Black opal has a dark body color, ranging from dark grey to black, which enhances the brightness of its play-of-color.
    • Transparency: It can be translucent to opaque.
    • Color Play: The play-of-color in black opals is usually more intense and vibrant against the dark background.
    • Rarity: Black opal is rarer and generally more valuable than white opal due to its striking appearance.
    • Origin: Predominantly found in Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia, which is known for producing some of the finest black opals.
  3. Common Opal (also known as potch when lacking play-of-color):

    • Color: Common opal lacks the vivid play-of-color seen in precious opals like white and black opal.
    • Transparency: It can be opaque or translucent.
    • Color Variations: Common opal comes in a wide range of colors, often without the iridescent play-of-color seen in precious opals.
    • Use: Common opal is often used for ornamental purposes rather than as gemstones.
    • Origin: Found in numerous locations worldwide and is more abundant compared to precious opals.

In summary, white opal and black opal are both types of precious opals distinguished by their body color and intensity of play-of-color. Common opal, on the other hand, lacks the distinctive play-of-color and is generally less valuable and more common.

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Nami

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1y ago

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Are opals black?

Some opals are known as black opals, this is when they have a mainly black colour. In general a black opal is very dark blue and has flecks of other colours within


Are opals worth more than an Amethyst?

The value of opals and amethysts can vary depending on factors such as quality, size, and rarity. In general, high-quality opals can be more valuable than amethysts due to their uniqueness and play-of-color. Ultimately, it's best to have both evaluated by a professional to determine their worth accurately.


Does Coober Pedy mine white or black opals?

Yes. Coober Pedy is still a major producer of opals.


Where can black opals be found in NSW?

Three different types of Opal are found in Australia:Fire Opals are mined in South Australia near Coober Pedy.Black Opals are mined in New South Wales near Lightning Ridge.Boulder Opals are mined in the western Queensland.


What is the most common shape of opal?

Opals are generally elliptical in shape, are in some cases pear or spherical. Angular shapes for opals are not commonly seen.


What is the rarest type of opal?

The black opal is the rarest of all opals. It is only found in Australia. About 97 percent of all opals in the world are mined in Australia.


Are opals natively Australian?

No. When opals were first found in Australia, they were not thought to be opals because they were a milky white in appearance. Opals found elsewhere in the world were mostly black.


How much value dose a 1.5 oz bag of opals have?

The value of opals varies wildly as the play of color (fire) varies wildly. Opals do not have a fixed value such as gold and silver and the value is open to debate between the buyer and seller. Generally speaking.....if the opals are uncut and of moderate fire - they will not be very valuable.


Where can you find black opals in new south wales?

Black opals can be found in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, which is one of the most famous opal mining areas in Australia. Lightning Ridge is known for producing high-quality black opals, prized for their vibrant play of colors against a dark background.


Where are opals mined most in the world?

Australian opal is the finest opal known and is exported around the world. It's safe to say that even the smallest gem and jewelry store in the smallest towns of the developed world will carry some Australian opal.


Who made opals?

Nobody MADE opals. They're mined out of the ground.


How do you tell the difference between synthetic Australian opals and nautural Australian opals?

To someone not familiar with Australian doublet and triplet opals, it would be difficult to tell the difference between them and solid opals when the stones have been set.Some of the ways to tell the difference are:The price - doublets and triplets are much less expensive than similar solid stones;Doublets have a thin slice of opal mounted on a black backing. If you can see the underside of the stone in the setting, you can tell whether it is a "black backing" or the stone;Triplets have a clear quartz cap on top of the opal in addition to the black backing. With a magnifying glass or incredible eyesight, you can see the thin clear layer on top of the stone.Jewelry with doublet and triplet opals has the same appearance as a solid opal. It's possible to find jewelry with amazingly brilliant colors at a reasonably affordable price when the stone is set as a doublet or triplet.