Different Types of Opal Gemstones

If holding the beauty of a rainbow in your hands is something that appeals to you, then look no further than opal gemstones. From the impressively colorful fireworks of the fire opal to the subtle beauty of boulder opal, there are a wide variety of types of opals to explore and choose from.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get opal-minded.

Well, opal, the queen of gemstones, has massive followers thanks to its mystic yet glorious disposition and numerous opal benefits. Unlike any other gem, opal is prized for its flaming attractiveness and exquisite kaleidoscopic appearance on the surface. 

Are you excited to have one?

But, before zeroing in on any opal jewelry, it is crucial to understand that not all opals are the same, literally. They vary in cut, color, type, clarity, and so on, and these factors play an imperative role in deciding the overall cost of the stone.

Hop on to learn all the juicy details about various types of opal gemstones, and be sure of your fantastic choice.

Types of Opal gemstones: Your Ultimate Guide

Once you start browsing the online space regarding opal gemstones in the list of white gemstones, you first need to know whether the stone is natural, lab-grown, treated, etc. It is the basic information every buyer should be aware of. 

However, the distinction between a lab-crafted and a natural opal might not be more evident to the untrained eye. So, how will you know? Check out some standard differences below to aid in authenticating your opal.

Natural Opal

Natural opals are used in their natural state from the earth, and nothing much is done on them besides polishing and cutting. Some prominent names under this category are light, boulder, matrix, and dark/black. Basically, there are two factors: body tone and transparency, that help determine the variability of opal gemstones.

So, what do these two suggest?

• Body Tone: The body tone of an opal ranges from dark, light, and black to some white and colorless hues with various shades of black and grey.
• Transparency: Opals can be translucent, opaque, or transparent.

Lab-Grown Opal

As the name suggests, these opals are created in a controlled environment and duplicate the organic process of creation as closely as possible to the natural opals under the earth. Lab-grown or synthetic opals have almost precisely the same atomic, physical, and visual attributes as naturally mined opals.

Treated Opal

Carrying various treatments to enhance the color and quality of a gemstone is customary in the world of trade, but the consumer should be informed about it. The same goes for opal gemstones too.

Various treatments are done on opals to make them market-ready, like heat treatments, application of oils, spraying with liquid, etc. 

As we always say, know what you are buying. In the case of opal gemstones, select an authentic dealer that can validate your purchase. If you choose a lab-grown opal, asking for a certificate of originality is an intelligent and sensible move.

Also See: What is A Natural Gemstone? Know About The Types of Natural Gems

Types of Opal: The Options Galore

Dear opal lovers, nature has given humanity significant variations when finding options in the opal family.

So, what exactly are they? How are they different? You may get all the answers to all your queries as you further in the blog. Come on, let’s read along.

Black Opals

One of the most expensive and popular opals is black opals, and they are primarily found at Lightning Ridge. Finding high-quality stones in this category is exceptionally challenging. A popular misconception is that “black opal” refers to an entirely black stone. Instead, it refers to a stone that is darker in body tone. Black or dark opal with vivid red flashes is highly uncommon and demands great prices.

White/ Light Opals

White opals come with a color spectrum from medium grey to almost no color, and they are also called light opals. These are referred to as “white”; however, this term will only stand correct when the body hue is highly milky.

Boulder Opals

As the name goes, the boulder opals are extracted from sizeable ironstone boulders under the earth. These stones have fissures and cracks, which allow thin colorful opal veins to grow. 

Depending on how the stone appears from the surface, boulder opal can be either black or bright. They are one the most sought-after names in the opals category and can be really expensive. 

Fire Opals

Fire opal boasts warm body hues ranging from red and orange to yellow. The stone can be transparent or translucent. Although a fire opal rarely displays any color play, the stone occasionally exhibits green flashes. 

Matrix Opals

The gem material known as matrix opal has play-of-color opal that is evenly dispersed throughout the anchor rock. The priceless opal can appear as a “cement” between sediments particles, as host material substitutions, or as infillings of small cysts.

Hyalite Opals

It has a glassy luster and dons a transparent look. If there are any natural inclusions, it could display an interior play of hues. Water opal, Jalite, and Muller’s glass are other names for it.

Peruvian Opals

As the name suggests, this blue-green opal is mined in Peru and is known to have a semi-transparent to opaque disposition. The more opaque stones are frequently sliced to expose the matrix, and Pleochroism (play of color) does not appear. 

Honey Opal

It is an opal that is transparent to clear in nature, seems honey-yellow in color, and has a glassy appearance. It might or might not have a color play on the surface.

Moss Opal

The Ogallala Formation is home to moss opal, which has inclusions of various iron minerals. The inclusions in the stone resemble a sparse cluster of branching tendrils in moss.

Also See: How to Buy Gemstone Bracelets for Him, Her, and Them

Types of Opals: Precious and Common

Hey, the list continues as opal also has a further classification, which divides this opal into precious and common categories.

Precious Opals

Opal that showcases vivid play of colors is referred to as precious opal. Some prominent names in this category include boulder opal, black opal, matrix opal, etc.

Common Opals

Opals that do not showcase any play of colors are common opals. The most famous names in this category are hyalite and moss.

Opal Quality: The Role of Cut, Color, and Clarity

The foremost industry-improved standards for evaluating an opal’s excellence are its colors, patterns, clarity and transparency, and last but not least, cut.

What Impact Does Background Have on the Color of Opal?

Having a wide range of the color spectrum is the USP of opals. You will be amused to know that opal can display one color, sometimes more than one or two colors, and in some cases, every color of the rainbow in its disposition. Isn’t it amazing?

Some prominent names based on a background color are white opal, black opal, fire opal, boulder opal, etc.

Red is typically regarded as the best predominant hue for an opal ring, with orange coming in at number two and green coming in at number three. But, you know what? Your choice and preference rates are high above anything else. 

The angle of observation plays a considerable role in the play of colors in opals. How? When opal is viewed from a different angle, blue might predominate in the same area as red. 

You know what? Even patterns also play an essential part in giving opals their unique function of play of colors. How is that? Let’s see,

Some typical patterns include:

• Peacock: These patterns have primarily blue and green tints
• Pinpoint or pinfire: these are tiny, tightly spaced colored patches
• A mosaic or a harlequin: Large, angular, closely spaced colored patches
• Flame: Sweeping bands or streaks that appear on the stone like flames

In the end, patterns and the color play need to be vibrant for the stone to be desirable and valuable. Got it?

Also See: List of Gemstones By Color – Gemstone Colors Chart

How Does Clarity Impact Opal?

An opal’s degree of transparency and absence of inclusions determines its clarity. Depending upon their clarity, opals can be entirely transparent or opaque in appearance. Experts value various limits of clarity for different opal specimens. For instance, specialists like an opaque background in black opal while admiring clarity in crystal opal. 

It is seen that a murky and milky background of opal can further diminish its value. It decreases the appeal of the stone and occasionally indicates a lack of stability.

Opals can have surface inclusions or fissures, just like other gems.

Additionally, it could contain a matrix or fragments of the host rock. The matrix in polished opals typically detracts from value and look (although this is only sometimes the case; it depends on the type of opal).

Different Types of Opals as Per Cut

Opal gemstone is known to have both background color and a play of colors. An experienced cutter’s job is to cash in on that and craft an exquisite piece.

The cutter needs to consider the opal’s color, pattern, and purity before finalizing the design. Exceptional opals may not be cut to typical sizes and shapes, as with many premium-colored stones.

Opal cutters must ensure that they cut this stone in a manner that keeps its play of color as intact and vibrant as possible.

An opal should have a symmetrical shape, and the stone should come across as vibrant from various viewing angles and display the best color play on rounded surfaces. A flat cabochon may be more prone to breaking, especially when set into statement jewelry.

Opal Varieties Based on Carat Weight

Opals are available in a range of varieties in terms of shapes and carat sizes. The value of an opal is often calculated by multiplying the weight in carats by a price “per carat” based on the color and look of the stone. When there are many stones, the total combined carat weight is calculated.

Also See: Gemstones Names and Meanings

Parting Thoughts on Types of Opal

The founder of the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once stated, “The colors of the opal, the light of the diamond, are not to be seen if the eye is too near.” But instead, we advise you to get up and get personal with an opal to appreciate its magnificence fully. To do the same, knowing various types of opal will surely aid you.

You may read how to take care of an opal bracelet and how to clean an opal bracelet to widen your knowledge base.

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