Opal Blog – Australian Opal Hunter

The variety of natural opal is determined by the two characteristics of body tone and transparency.

Body Tone

The body tone of an opal is different to the play-of-colour displayed in precious opal. There are three varieties of natural opal based on body tone. Body tone refers to the relative darkness or lightness of the opal when ignoring the play-of-colour.

Black Opal – is the family of opal which shows a play-of-colour within or on a black body tone by reference to the AGIA Body Tone Chart N1, N2, N3 and N4 when viewed face up.

Dark Opal – is the family of opal which shows a play-of-colour within or on a dark body tone by reference to the AGIA Body Tone Chart N5, N6 when viewed face up.

Light Opal – is the family of opal which shows a play-of-colour within or on a light body tone by reference to the AGIA Body Tone chart N7, N8 or N9 when viewed face up. The N9 category is referred to as white opal.

Opal with a distinct coloured body (such as yellow, orange, red or brown) should be classified as black, dark or light opal by reference to the AGIA Body Tone Chart with a notation stating its colour hue.

Transparency

Opal shows all forms of diaphaneity and ranges from transparent to opaque. Natural precious opal which is transparent to semi-transparent is known as crystal opal. Crystal opal can have either a black, dark or light body colour tone. The term "crystal" in this context refers to appearance not a crystalline structure.

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Opal is a gemstone consisting of hydrated amorphous silica with the chemical formula SiO2.nH2O. There are two basic forms of opal described by visual appearance.

Precious Opal – is opal which exhibits the phenomenon known as play-of-colour, produced by the diffraction of white light through a micro-structure of orderly arrayed silica spheres to produce changing spectral hues.

Common Opal and Potch – is opal which does not exhibit a play-of-colour. The distinction between common opal and potch is based on formation and structure. Potch is structurally similar to precious opal but has a disorderly arrangement of silica spheres. Common opal shows some degree of micro crystallinity.

TYPES OF NATURAL OPAL

Natural opal is opal which has not been treated or enhanced in any way other than by cutting and polishing. There are three types of natural opal, with varieties described by the two characteristics of body tone and transparency.

Natural Opal Type 1 – is opal presented in one piece in its natural state apart from cutting or polishing and is of substantially homogenous chemical composition.

Natural Opal Type 2 – is opal presented in one piece where the opal is naturally attached to the host rock in which it was formed and the host rock is of a different chemical composition. This opal is commonly known as boulder opal.

Natural Opal Type 3 – is opal presented in one piece where the opal is intimately diffused as infillings of pores or holes or between grains of the host rock in which it was formed. This opal is commonly known as matrix opal.

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Purchase opal and opal jewelry securely online and have them delivered door to door within days.

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If you are not satisfied with the quality of any opal, or if the opals does not match the product description on this opal site, you may at your option return the opals in exchange for another opal . We only require that the opals be returned in original condition and with all original packaging within 21 days of purchase..

Black Opal Books Lightnig Ridge NSW Australia & Opal gemstones.

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Australian Opals Specialist, Finest collection of quality Gem Australian Opals seen on the Internet . To view the finest collection of opals : click here :$10,000  >>>>>>—opals

This collection are all unique opals, therefore you will never find two of a kind of this opal collection anywhere in the world.We are opal exporter who has a Government protective listing , who will provide you with wholesale prices direct from our opal mines,I have a lot of experience in Queensland boulder Opal, worked in the South West of Queensland, and in the far north-west of Queensland .I also had a good look at South Australia which supplies the vast amount of white Opal and Crystal Opal to the world. We have worked an open cut mine on the famous original 3 mile opal field , which has a government protective order listing. This mine is adjacent to where one of the largest uncut black opal nobby was found , known internationally as “HALLEYS COMET” . and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Black opal from Lightning Ridge three mile field have been recognised as of the highest quality.Halleys Comet of 2000 carats can be viewed at the opal section over $10,000 opal. With impeccable integrity you can be assured of obtaining the authentic opal of your choice . REMEMBER:- black opals are unique because of their gorgeous variety of colour which in turn can only enhance..

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Opal number 279-  Unique Rare High domed red black gem opal. Fabulous colour 15.85 carats.  Price: $190,000.00

Classic Black Opal Country as lightning Ridge is the capital of the black Opal Industrie of the world . Opal number 282- Liberty Flame Opal. A unique one off opal representing the torch of the famous Statue of Liberty in New York. Price:   { $29,000.00 } .

> > > – - Opal Images.  } www.grahamblackopal.com/prod44.htm

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Classic Black Opal Country as lightning Ridge is the capital of the black Opal Industrie of the world . Opal number 282- Liberty Flame Opal. A unique one off opal representing the torch of the famous Statue of Liberty in New York.    :   { Price: $29,000.00 }

> > > – - Opal Images.  } www.grahamblackopal.com/prod3.htm

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Young blood sought to revitalise opal industry

By Chrissy Arthur : AEDT Opal miners and retailers in western Queensland say they are worried about the future of their multi-million dollar sector because of a lack of young people.
James Evert from the Queensland Boulder Opal Association says it has been a tough few years for the industry because of the global financial crisis and tourism slump.
He says while the boulder opal is still renowned worldwide, encouraging young people into small-scale mining is a challenge.
“We’re not seeing young people coming in … and we’re still relying on the old hands that have been out there for many years to supply the markets and a lot of the older hands are either passing on or moving out of the industry and we don’t have enough young ones out there to get out there and create the supply,” he said.”We need the mining [industry] working at full swing. We need the people to move into these regional areas like Winton and Longreach and Barcaldine and Quilpie … we need them out there exploring and trying to discover new deposits but because of where we are at this stage, we’re not seeing young people coming in.”

Source ABC News website

Classic Black Opal Country as lightning Ridge is the capital of the black Opal Industrie of the world

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This magnificent gem  resembles a famous artist ear that cut his ear off in a mad rage, and the Opal above is his painting palette this classic gorges carving is a beautiful examples of a unique black Opal carving.  Dimension of gemstone is  length  22 mm & width of the gemstone 15 mm at the top and 10 mm at the bottom of the free-form Opal,and is 6 mm thick.

{ Price: $8,900.00 }

Classic Black Opal Country as lightning Ridge is the capital of the black Opal Industrie of the world.

> > > – - Opal Images.  } www.grahamblackopal.com/prod336.htm

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Opal number 303- Excellent quality bright green on very black opal .Classic example of a Three Mile black opal from Lightning NSW Australia, classic Black Opal Country as lightning Ridge is the capital of the black Opal Industrie of the world .

{ Weighs 8.15 carats }            { Price: $6,000.00 }

New > > > – - Opal Image  .  } www.grahamblackopal.com/prod42.htm

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For ages people have been believing in the healing power of :Opal. It is reported to be able to solve depressions and to help its wearer find the true and real love. Opals are supposed to further enhance the positive characteristics for people born under the zodiac sign of Cancer. Black Opal is recommended to those born under Scorpio, and Boulder Opal is the lucky stone for Aries.

The fantastic colour play of :Opal reflects changing emotions and moods of people. Fire and water, the sparkling images of Boulder Opal, the vivid light flashes of Black Opal or the soft shine of Milk Opal – striking contrasts characterise the colourful world of this fascinating gemstone. Maybe this is the reason why it depends on our daily mood which Opal we prefer. Opals are like human emotions: you always experience them different and anew.

When Opal experts talk about “harlequin”, “church windows” or “needle fire”, do not be surprised. They are probably discussing Opals. The play of colour in this stone is described with many imaginative terms for various structures and phenomena, like, for example, “flame opal”, “lightning and peacock opal”, or the above named “harlequin” and “church window”.

Black Opal or Opal with a dark grey body shows the most brilliant play of colours imaginable. Crystal opal, which comes immediately after Black Opal in the hit list, should be more transparent with a deep play of colours. White or milky Opals show more diffuse colours and are the least expensive Opals. The occurrence-specific characteristics include, for instance, denominations such as “Black Opal from Lightning Ridge” (we are talking absolute top luxury here) or “Mexican Fire Opal

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The most important criterion for determining the price of an Opal, however, is the play of colour, the colours as such and their pattern. If the colour red appears when looking through the stone, all the other colours will appear also. For evaluating Opals the thickness of the Opal layer is considered, the beauty of the patterning, the cut, weight and finish. Finally the total impression will be decisive, and of course offer and demand will determine ho much you will have to pay for “your” Opal. If you are interested in a really valuable specimen, get an Opal expert to advise you, because it takes a real expert to know about the many criteria which determine the price.

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