Opals

No, it's a type of silica, and is classed as a mineraloid.

The volcano itself does not make the opal. The lava, be it Rhyolite or Basalt has air bubbles in it (called vesicles) these air pockets of many differing sizes are the future home of the opals.

After time wheh the lava cools any silica rich springs begin a slow deposition of silica which, if the conditions a correct, will form common and precious opal.

The volcano creates the matrix (or host rock) of the opal.

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.

One of the persistent myths concerning opal is that they bring bad luck or even death.

This idiotic myth came into existence following the publication of Walter Scott's book: Anne of Geierstien in 1829. In Scott's novel the Baroness of Amheim wore an opal talisman with supernatural powers. When a drop of holy water falls on the talisman the opal turns into a colorless stone and the Baroness dies shortly after. Due to the popularity of Scott's novel, people came to associate opals with bad luck and death.

Fortunately most modern folks (but not all) discount this myth and have come to prize opal as the "queen of gemstones"

Sadly, occasionally, i will still hear someone state that opals are bad luck.

I heard it put very well once: "the only thing bad luck about opals is not owning any"

Opal is typically extracted from the earth through open-cut mining or underground mining methods. Miners use heavy machinery to remove overburden and dig into the opal-bearing layers, where they extract the opal-bearing rocks. These rocks are then processed to extract the opal gemstones.

Opals are typically found within 30 meters (about 100 feet) underground. They form in cavities and fissures in sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and limonite. Due to their formation process, opals are usually found in shallow depths compared to other gemstones.

Opal is known for its play-of-color, which is a unique iridescence that displays a rainbow-like spectrum. This effect is caused by the diffraction of light as it passes through the tiny spheres or layers of silica within the stone. Opal's transparency can range from opaque to translucent, with the most prized opals being the ones that exhibit a high level of play-of-color against a transparent or translucent body.

Opal is neither a sedimentary, igneous, nor metamorphic rock. It is actually a mineraloid composed of hydrated silica that is formed from silica-rich solutions at low temperature, often found in sedimentary rocks like sandstone or volcanic areas.

Yes, opal is a relatively soft gemstone, which makes it prone to scratching and chipping if not handled carefully. Additionally, opals have a relatively high water content, which can lead to cracking or crazing if exposed to sudden changes in temperature. It is important to take proper care of opal jewelry to prevent damage.

Opal is a stone that is a clearish whitish background, with different colors scattered around on it. There are colors such as red, orange, blue, green, ect. These colors appear more than once on the stone.

No. As it is synthetic it is man-made. A mineral must be naturally occurring and have a crystalline structure (among other requirements). Synthetic opal does not meet these criteria.

Tourmaline opal belongs to the silicate class of minerals, specifically in the sub-group known as the cyclosilicates. It is characterized by its unique crystal structure and vibrant play-of-color caused by microscopic silica spheres within the stone.

It depends.... when they have just been dug out of the round they are extremely rough and vary in shapes. Once they have been polished they are very smooth and usually a round shape.

One could suggest that there is simply no substitute for the color play of a top quality opal, although synthetic opals can look nice, Albertan ammolite can be quite spectacular, and color-play feldspars like labradorite or sunstone can be quite stunning.

Opals are mined in Queensland, Australia, primarily in the areas around the towns of Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, and Mintabie. These regions are known for producing high-quality opals with vibrant colors and unique patterns.

Opal mutation displays a variety of colors known as play-of-color, including white, gray, blue, green, orange, red, and purple. The specific colors and patterns within opal mutation can vary greatly, making each stone unique.

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.

Black opal can be very expensive, only low grade black opal is sold by kilo weight. This low grade is called potch and colour which means that maybe bit of colour might be in this rough black opal I have seen parcels sold for $200 per kilo but it has no colour. Good kilo bucket of rough black opal would cost around $5,000 .00 Black opal is rated by body tone N1 for deep black colour, and N4 for light black colour. So for $5000 per kilo, dont expect N1 body tone. Black opal is sold by carat, and rare patterns are worth $5,000 to $20,000 per carat; especially red fire harlequin pattern n1 body tone, and over brighness rating of 4.

To determine the estimated value of an opal necklace and earrings surrounded by small diamonds, you can take them to a trusted jeweler for appraisal. They will assess the quality and characteristics of the opals, diamonds, and settings to provide an estimated value based on current market trends. Make sure to get a written appraisal for insurance purposes.

Another name for opal is "fire opal."

Opal is a mineraloid composed of silica. It does not have a boiling point because it is a non-crystalline substance. Instead, opal can lose its water content when exposed to high temperatures, causing it to lose its play-of-color.

Opal mining is not a prominent activity in Texas. While there may be some small-scale mining operations, Texas is not known for its opal deposits compared to other states like Nevada or Idaho.

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.

Yes, dish soaps or other harsh soaps can damage the surface of opal stones by removing their natural oils and causing them to lose their luster. It's best to clean opal stones with mild soap and water, or seek guidance from a professional jeweler for proper care.