Articles
The 4 Opal Types Explained
by The Jewel Creation Jewelry MakingUnlike other gemstones, opal types are based on their colors. They can go from being colored and playful Ethiopian opal beads to completely white or colorless natural ones. So if you are a huge lover of opals, and they rank at top of your favorite gemstone beads list, then let us have a look at the 4 opal types that you should definitely know about to complete your opal collection.
1. White/Light Opal
White or Light opals are opal stones whose color range from being milky (white) to any hue that qualifies to be known as a “Light color”. The light colors can be yellow, orange, cream. Some light opals are even colorless. A good quality white or light opal can be as expensive as AUS $200. Much like their other cousins listed below, this opal category is also mined at Australia. Typically, the towns Coober Pedy and Mintabie, of South Australia, are famous for their production of White opals
2. Boulder Opal
When it comes to popularity, boulder opals rank second; falling only behind black opals. As the name suggests, this variety of natural gemstone bead is extracted from boulders of ironstone; a type of sedimentary rock. The mining of boulder opals is so complex, that only expert cutters are allowed for taking it out of ironstones surfaces located deep within the earth. This variety was first mined in the Queensland, a state in Australia. Given the fact that a small part of ironstone is always present on the backside of boulder opal, supporting its structure, it is not priced according to its weight. But a well-cut and curated opal of this category could easily cost ASD $3000.
3. Matrix Opal
Matrix opals are a variety of boulder opals as they are also found in the cracks and veins of the ironstone boulders. Some varieties of matrix opals, found in Andamooka town in South Australia, are treated to provide them with a dark background. It’s is done because boulder opals always have a back surface made of the ironstone. By making the background look black, the value of this variety is further increased. Matrix opal comes in a wide variety of shapes, color, and designs. Due to this, the natural gemstone bead of this variety is often used as a collector's item, other than being used for ornamental purposes.
4. Black/Dark Opal
Finally, the most expensive and valued opal of them all. Black or dark opal is the one that exhibits dark colors like black, blue, purple, red, green, etc. This variety of opal mostly hails from the Lightning Ridge; a town in Australia. Factors that drive sales of this rare opal stone are clarity, design, and color.
Also Read: 4 Chakra Gemstones that Aid Deep Healing
1. White/Light Opal
White or Light opals are opal stones whose color range from being milky (white) to any hue that qualifies to be known as a “Light color”. The light colors can be yellow, orange, cream. Some light opals are even colorless. A good quality white or light opal can be as expensive as AUS $200. Much like their other cousins listed below, this opal category is also mined at Australia. Typically, the towns Coober Pedy and Mintabie, of South Australia, are famous for their production of White opals
2. Boulder Opal
When it comes to popularity, boulder opals rank second; falling only behind black opals. As the name suggests, this variety of natural gemstone bead is extracted from boulders of ironstone; a type of sedimentary rock. The mining of boulder opals is so complex, that only expert cutters are allowed for taking it out of ironstones surfaces located deep within the earth. This variety was first mined in the Queensland, a state in Australia. Given the fact that a small part of ironstone is always present on the backside of boulder opal, supporting its structure, it is not priced according to its weight. But a well-cut and curated opal of this category could easily cost ASD $3000.
3. Matrix Opal
Matrix opals are a variety of boulder opals as they are also found in the cracks and veins of the ironstone boulders. Some varieties of matrix opals, found in Andamooka town in South Australia, are treated to provide them with a dark background. It’s is done because boulder opals always have a back surface made of the ironstone. By making the background look black, the value of this variety is further increased. Matrix opal comes in a wide variety of shapes, color, and designs. Due to this, the natural gemstone bead of this variety is often used as a collector's item, other than being used for ornamental purposes.
4. Black/Dark Opal
Finally, the most expensive and valued opal of them all. Black or dark opal is the one that exhibits dark colors like black, blue, purple, red, green, etc. This variety of opal mostly hails from the Lightning Ridge; a town in Australia. Factors that drive sales of this rare opal stone are clarity, design, and color.
Also Read: 4 Chakra Gemstones that Aid Deep Healing
Sponsor Ads
About The Jewel Creation 
Jewelry Making
8 connections, 0 recommendations, 48 honor points.Joined APSense since, July 10th, 2018, From Jaipur,RJ, India.
Created on Apr 23rd 2019 23:59. Viewed 508 times.
Comments
No comment, be the first to comment.
