About Opals
What is an Opal?
Opals are the most unique gemstones you can own. No stone is like another and set by a master craftsman/woman it represents a valuable investment.
The color is generated by the arrangement and size of spheres within the opal layer. Different layers on top of each other reflect a different light frequency, hence the color play. The more colors the better.
Intensity of reflection, clarity and pattern, are the main criteria for valuation. Colors range in value from blue, green, yellow, orange, red, to violet. To value an Opal, it is best viewed under a 60watt light-bulb.
There are different types of Opals depending on where they are mined:
Boulder Opals = mostly found in Queensland with a natural ironstone backing. These are the most stable of all Opals. All my stones are Boulder Opals from Queensland mines.
Matrix = thin bands of Opal in the ironstone, interesting patterns
Coober Pedy = light colors within a solid block of Opal
Lightning Ridge = called black Opals, their color sits on a dark background which ranges from light to dark gray.
Doublets and Triplets are thin color-layers glued onto a black glass plate and are, in the latter case, topped with a dome-shaped layer of glass or crystal.
Care
Opals are incredibly strong. Just think of it, they lay in the ground for probably 65 million years, are first blasted or ripped from the ground, smacked open with a hammer or pickaxe, cut and ground on diamond-wheels, and finally polished with diamond powder.
As they contain around 4% of water, they like to be worn and handled. They love water and don't like oils or dry environments over long periods. So ladies, take them out of the safe and wear your personal gemstones, let them glitter in the sun, sparkle in the spotlight, and let them make you the focus of any party.
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