The Different Kinds of Opals You Might Not Know About

by Gems Biz GemsBiz

Opal stones have been prized and admired for centuries. Their beautiful, iridescent play of color can be breathtaking, making them popular pieces of jewelry, whether in their natural form or as part of more intricate designs. But with so many varieties of opal to choose from, how do you know which ones are right for you? The answers may surprise you. Whether they are on display in the world’s most famous museums or tucked away in ancient relics, all opals have one thing in common: they’re all gorgeous! Here are a few kinds of opal you may not have heard about before now.

About Blue Opal

These loose gemstones are highly valued in the jewelry market and are rarer than other opal varieties. They come in many colors, including purple, blue and green. Their value can range from $1-10 per carat, making them one of the most expensive types of opal on the market today. Some think that blue opal stone is actually a different type of mineral than true opal, which is created by a process known as hydrophane. In fact, some people claim that it's actually just an opalescent form of chrysoprase or obsidian. But even if it is a type of mineral like these two substances, there's no denying that this variety has been popular for centuries.

About Ethiopian Opal

For many people, opal is a stone that they've never seen before or know very little about. This is because the type of opal that most people know and love is the Australian Opal, which is found in Australia. But there are other types of opals that exist! Ethiopian opal is one example and it's actually the most valuable type of opal in the world. It can come in an array of colors like black, blue-green, green, yellow-green, and olive. The difference between this type of opal and others is its appearance: an Ethiopian Opal will be opaque while all other types will be transparent. It also has a higher luster than any other type of opal. The rarity of this kind makes it highly sought after by collectors all over the world so if you're ever offered this kind at auction don’t hesitate to buy it!

About Fire Opal

The fire opal gem is usually a deep orange or dark red color with a yellow, gold, orange, or brownish sheen. The fire opal gets its name from the fire-like flash that occasionally occurs within the stone. Fire opal can be found in any type of volcanic rock, but only in small quantities.

Fire Opals are not often found and many times they are made into other types of jewelry like rings and earrings.

It’s difficult to find naturally occurring Fire Opals because they must be cut out of large blocks of sandstone, which takes time and skill to do so safely.

About Pink Opal

Pink Opal stone is a natural opal that has been dyed pink. This type of opal is often artificially treated with colorless oil, which can make the gemstone expensive. Pink Opal is most often found in Australia and Brazil. It is not as rare as the black opal, but it does still have some rarity to it. Pink Opal makes an excellent gift for someone who loves all types of gems! There are so many different types of opals you might not know about because they’re so unique. If you love pink, then you will love this stone just like I do!

About Dendrite Opal

Dendrite opal is one of the rarest and most sought-after types of opal. It's often called the snowflake opal. It's valued for its unique patterns that are said to resemble tree branches. The colors in dendrite opal can be various shades, including blues, greens, oranges, yellows, and reds.

Dendrite Opal was first discovered in Australia by an amateur miner in 1872. It was a happy accident when he struck what looked like a rock with his pickaxe. He'd stumbled on a huge vein of opalized wood! Most natural dendrite opal comes from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales.

Conclusion

Opal is one of the most sought-after precious gemstones, but there are a number of types you may not know about. Here are three to consider. Sellers often refer to opals as black opal or white opal. These are not true opals; they have been stained with common household products such as hair dye and shoe polish. If the black substance is thick enough it can obscure the white areas of an otherwise beautiful black opal.