Different Types of Opal
Crystal Opal
CRYSTAL OPAL
Crystal opals differ from other opals in that light can travel through the stone. Held in the light you can see through the opal.
This opal’s translucent quality makes it attractive, highlighting the flash of colour in these opals is often bright, and no two are ever alike.
Not to be confused with a white opal which is opaque when you hold it up to the light.
Boulder Opal
BOULDER OPAL
Australian Boulder opals are the second most valuable type of opal (following black opal).
Boulder opals are easily distinguished by their layer of solid brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Boulder opals are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground. Thin veins of coloured opal forms in cracks in these boulders. Because these veins of opal are so thin, the ironstone on the back of the opal is left to form a full-sized stone.
Boulder opals generally have a dark body tone and display a vibrant colour.
Sometimes the ironstone is visible, which appears spotted.
Clean Faced Boulder Opal would have a whole bar of opal colour visible on the surface of the stone. It is appealing and more valuable than a surface displaying ironstone spots.
A thin bar of colour in boulder opals means that a high cabochon surface is extremely rare. Boulder opals usually have a flat or undulating surface. Boulder opals are almost always cut in a freeform shape.
Other Opal
SEMI BLACK OPAL
Semi-black Opal, also known as Dark Opal or Grey Opal, refers to opals which have a darker body tone than white opals, yet are not quite dark enough to be classified as Black Opals.
What is a MATRIX Opal?
The opal usually has little or no colour unless it is treated.
Matrix opal usually has no depth, and you cannot see through it.
Premium Opal
BLACK OPAL
"Black opal" is a term used for opal that has a dark body colour, often black or dark grey. The term is also used for opal that has a dark blue or dark green body colour.
The dark body colour often makes the fire of black opal more brilliant vibrant. This contrast of fire colour to body colour makes black opals very desirable and often sell for a higher price.
DOUBLET OPAL
Opal Doublet as the name depicts, is a thin layer of precious Opal cemented onto a backing, usually a piece of common Ironstone.
Opal doublets are a cheap and inexpensive way to buy a colourful piece of precious Opal without the cost of a solid Opal.
It is a thin piece of opal and gluing it to a thicker backing. The easiest way to detect an Opal doublet is to turn it on the side and look for the join between the Opal and the backing.
This is also an important time to mention Opal Triplets. Like an Opal Doublet, a Triplet is made by gluing Opal to a solid backing. If the Opal is extremely thin sometimes a clear cap is placed over the Opal.
TRIPLET OPAL
The black backing is used in this to enhance the colour of the opal layer. The clear top layer is added on top to protect the piece, making it more durable for a person to wear it. Because of this is a perfect stone option for rings.
It is good to know that it is not a good idea to get this stone wet. If you do have an opal triplet ring, you should protect from the water.
Rare Unique Times
FASCINATION WITH OPALS
Opal is predominantly found in Australia. Most of the world finds are in Australia therefore making opal the country’s national gemstone.
Most opal is found in the Cretaceous layer of rock which date back to more than 65 million to 145 million years which was during the period when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
No two opals are the same with various colours of Blue, Black, Green, Golden, Pink, Purple, Turquoise & Red Flashes.
The name opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit Upala, meaning “jewel”
The Greek meaning of “Opallios,” is “to see a change of colour.”
Opal is an emotional stone. It can enhance the mood of an individual, encouraging freedom, independence and releasing inhibitions assisting expressing one’s true self.
Rare Unique Times
How Do I Care for My Opals?
Opal doublets are just as strong as a solid opal but because they have been ‘glued’ together with a backing piece of Ironstone it is important not to clean your piece of jewellery with ultrasonic cleaners or strong chemicals. Simply wipe over with a cloth and warm soapy water.
Rare Unique times
Opal Doublet Uses
In nature it is uniquely rare to get matching opals, so doublets are popular in making a matching sets.