Opal is the most colorful gems. Its splendid play of color is unsurpassed, and fine examples can even be more valuable than Diamond. The play of color consists of indescent color flashes that change with the angle at which the […]
Opal is the most colorful gems. Its splendid play of color is unsurpassed, and fine examples can even be more valuable than Diamond. The play of color consists of indescent color flashes that change with the angle at which the stone is viewed. This phenomenon is often called opalescence.
SOURCES
Australia is the largest producer of opal. Other important deposits are in Ethiopia, Sudan Hungary, Honduras, Brazil, Mexico, and the united states (Nevada, Oregon, California, Idaho).
USES
Precious opals are cut and polished into cabochons and used in all forms of jewelry, especially as pendants and ring centerpieces, fire opals are faceted into several gemstone cut for jewelry. Opal, especially as common opal, can also be carved into small ornamental figures.