Opal Jewelry

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Opal is gemstone with unique chemical properties used in making jewelry. It is an amorphous form of silica related to quartz in mineraloid form, but not a mineral. Opal occurs as a result of volcanic deposits from hot springs and in sediments. There is no crystal formation, therefore Opal is amorphous. As a silicon dioxide it is like quartz, but with a water content nearing 10 %. Opal is softer than quartz and it has a play of rainbow colors and is often is highly fluorescent.

Precious opals are found in volcanic deposits in Hungary, Idaho, California and in the Querétaro district of Mexico. Opals of greatest value, the Black Opals are found in the sedimentary rocks of eastern Australia and in Queensland as opalized fossils. The black opal is the rarest and most valuable, generally found as an opal bar of various colors forming internal water horizontals in nodules.

Two areas on the globe produce most of the dark lustrous gems mined in the Australian towns of Lightning Ridge in New South Wales and Mintable in South Australia. The white opal is not quite as rare as the Black, but is ye distinguished by lively color play. This gem stone has a creamy hue that displays a soft pastel range of colors. The white opal is also mined in Australia as well as other sites. Like the Black opal, this gemstone is also a Silicate. There exists also a translucent orange-red variety of the stone known as ‘fire opal’ that is used and faceted in stones for jewelry. For a complete list of opal jewelry for sale, visit our upcoming Estate Jewelry Auctions.

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Opal Jewelry

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