Unraveling the Mysteries of Opals: A Dive into Precious Gems

Here we are to discuss a new topic, this time concerning a very special gem, the OPAL.

What is this stone with such unique colors and plays of light made of?
In nature, opal is formed from amorphous silica and water, and for optimal results, the amounts of these elements must be precise. To explain further: amorphous silica disperses into tiny droplets that arrange themselves in a lattice structure on the water, creating the play of color that opal is famous for. However, the water content must be between 6% and 13% for the play of color to fully manifest and be appreciated at its best. If the percentage exceeds 20%, this precious play of color will be lost.

Based on the type of play of colors, we can divide opals into three groups:

• OPALE PINFIRE : The play of colors appears as small, distinct dots.
• OPALE FLASH : The play of colors consists of large areas of color that create flashes when moved.
• HARLEQUIN OPAL : The play of color appears in distinct patches of color.

What should I know before buying an opal?

In my opinion, there are some important things to know before buying an opal. The first is that it is an extremely fragile stone and easily breakable because it is very porous. If you are thinking of an opal ring, it is better to desist immediately. Mounting this stone on a jewel so exposed to shocks, such as a ring, means breaking it in a very short time. You can instead opt for a pendant or earrings, jewels that are naturally much more protected.

Opal also requires special care; it must be frequently moistened with a cloth soaked in water to prevent it from completely drying out. Dehydration inevitably leads to the fracture of the opal.

What are the varieties of opal?

Opal comes in different varieties, based on the color of the body, transparency and especially the play of colors we talked about. Let's see together what they are:

• BLACK OPAL : The most expensive and valuable quality. The body has dark colors, such as brown, dark blue or black, with a translucency that varies from translucent to opaque and an accentuated play of colors.

WHITE OPAL : The most commercial grade. As the name suggests, the body color ranges from white to gray, with a translucency from translucent to opaque, and has a beautiful play of color.

CRYSTAL OPAL : It has a body that varies from transparent to semi-transparent, resulting in a very accentuated and visible play of colors.

WATER OPAL OR JELLY : It has a body that varies from colorless to yellowish, generally transparent to translucent, with little play of color.

FIRE OPAL : The body color ranges from red to orange, transparent to translucent, and is generally free of play of color.

COMMON OPAL OR POTCH : From translucent to opaque, it is completely devoid of play of colors.

BOULDER OR MATRIX OPAL : Composed of thin layers that are not worth extracting from the matrix. It has irregular play of color and shapes. They may not look very attractive, but some are highly sought after by collectors.