"Unveiling the Mysteries of Opals: A Dive into Precious Gems"

Dear readers,

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

What is this stone with such unique colors and play of light composed of?

In nature, opal forms from amorphous silica and water, and for optimal results, the quantities of these elements must be precise. To explain better: amorphous silica is dispersed in tiny droplets that arrange themselves in a lattice on the water, creating the color play for which opal is famous. However, the water content must be between 6 and 13% for this play of colors to be fully displayed and appreciated at its best. If the percentage exceeds 20%, this precious color play will be lost.

Based on the color play, we can divide opals into three groups:

- PINFIRE OPAL: The color play appears as small, distinct dots or pins.

- FLASH OPAL: The color play consists of large areas of color that form flashes when moved.

- HARLEQUIN OPAL: The color play consists of distinct patches of color.

What should I know before buying an opal?

In my opinion, there are a few important things to know before purchasing an opal, the first being that it is an extremely fragile and easily breakable stone because it is very porous. If you are considering an opal ring, it's better to desist immediately. Mounting this stone on a piece of jewelry that is so frequently exposed to impacts, like a ring, means breaking this beautiful stone in a very short time. Instead, you can opt for a pendant or earrings, which are naturally much more protected pieces of jewelry.

Opal also requires special care; it should be frequently moistened with a water-soaked cloth to prevent it from completely dehydrating. Dehydration inevitably leads to the fracturing of the opal.

What are the varieties of opal?

Opal comes in several varieties based on body color, transparency, and especially the play of colors we just discussed. Let's see together which they are:

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

- WHITE OPAL: The most commercial quality. As its name suggests, the body color ranges from white to gray, with translucency from translucent to opaque, and it possesses a beautiful play of colors.

- CRYSTAL OPAL: Has a body that ranges from transparent to semi-transparent, resulting in a highly accentuated and visible play of colors.

- WATER OR JELLY OPAL: Has a body ranging from colorless to yellowish, generally from transparent to translucent, and has a scarce play of colors.

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

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

- BOULDER OR MATRIX OPAL: Consists of thin layers that are not worth extracting from the matrix. It has irregular color plays and shapes. They may seem unappealing, but some are highly sought after by collectors.