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Opal doesn't have a crystal shape, it's amorphous.

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15y ago

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What is the opals crystals system?

Opal, being amorphous, is not really a mineral but a mineraloid. One of the scientifically accepted standards defining a mineral is that a mineral must have a crystal structure, which opal lacks. Many scientific groups and references, including the acclaimed Dana's System of Mineralogy, categorize Opal together with the "true" minerals. For this reason, Opal -- as well as other amorphous types that fall under the definition of a mineraloid.


Is an opal birthstone cleavage or fracture?

Opal is known for its cleavage, which is the tendency of the stone to break along certain planes due to its crystal structure. This can give opal a characteristic pattern of fractures or cleavage surfaces when it is damaged or cut.


What is the Texture of an Opal Mineral?

Opal is an amorphous mineral, which means it lacks a true crystal structure. It typically exhibits a smooth, glassy texture. Opal can also display a unique play-of-color caused by the diffraction of light, giving it a vibrant and iridescent appearance.


What is the natural crystal structure of americium?

Americium crystal has a hexagonal type crystalization.


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.


Why the mineral opal is often referred to as a mineraloid?

Opal is often referred to as a mineraloid because it lacks a crystal structure, which is a defining characteristic of minerals. Instead, opal is made up of tiny silica spheres arranged in a more random, non-repeating pattern, giving it its unique play-of-color. This amorphous structure sets it apart from traditional minerals.


What the type of structures that minerals contains?

crystal structure


What type of crystal structure does sodium has?

Sodium has a body-centered cubic crystal structure. Each sodium atom is located at the center of a cube and the surrounding lattice points.


What is the bond type and crystal type of ice?

Ice is a type of solid crystal with a hydrogen bond structure. The bonds between water molecules in ice are hydrogen bonds which are weaker than covalent or ionic bonds. The crystal structure of ice is hexagonal.


Why is the mineral opal referred to as a mineraloid?

Opal is an amorphous form of silica related to quartz, a mineraloid form, not a mineral. A mineraloid is a mineral-like substance that does not demonstrate crystallinity.Now you get it?


What crystal group is opal?

Some think it is in the quartz group.


What is type of bonding and the crystal structure?

There are several types of bonds that can have a crystallized structure. These include ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and metallic bonds. The crystal structure is an arrangement of atoms and molecules.