Imagine looking into a gem and seeing all the colors of the rainbow flashing before your eyes. That’s the magic of opal! This stunning effect happens because of the way light interacts with the tiny silica spheres inside the stone. The base color of opal can vary, including shades of white, black, blue, and orange, adding even more depth to its beauty.
They’re usually cut into smooth, rounded shapes called cabochons. This shape really shows off the stone’s color play. When you move an opal, the colors seem to shift and change, making it look like it’s alive. It’s no wonder that opals are some of the most intriguing and sought-after gemstones out there.
Where to mine them?
If you’re wondering where these beautiful gems come from, Australia is the place to be! About 95% of the world’s opals are found there. The most famous opal mining areas in Australia include Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, and Andamooka. Each region produces different types of opals with unique characteristics. For instance, Lightning Ridge is famous for its black opals, while Coober Pedy is known for its white and crystal opals.
But Australia isn’t the only place you can find opals. They’re also mined in Mexico, Ethiopia, Brazil, and the United States. Mexican opals, especially fire opals, are known for their vibrant orange and red colors. Ethiopian opals have become popular recently for their stunning color play and affordability compared to Australian opals.
Two of the Most Expensive Opals
When it comes to opals, fire opal and black opal are two of the most coveted and expensive varieties. Let’s dive into what makes these opals so special and why they’re highly prized by gem enthusiasts.
Fire Opal: The Fiery Gemstone
Fire opals are like little pieces of the sun captured in a gemstone. They range in color from vibrant oranges to deep reds and yellows, making them stand out among other opals. Most fire opals come from the volcanic regions of Mexico, particularly the states of Querétaro and Jalisco.
What sets fire opals apart is their transparency and fiery hues. Unlike most opals, which have a milky or opaque base, fire opals can be transparent to translucent, allowing their fiery colors to shine through brilliantly. Sometimes, fire opals even display a play of color, adding flashes of green or blue to their already striking appearance.
The value of fire opals depends on their color intensity, clarity, and whether they exhibit any play of color. The most valuable fire opals have bright, vivid colors and high transparency. Their fiery appearance makes them perfect for unique and eye-catching jewelry. High-quality fire opals can fetch prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per carat.
Black Opal: The Dark and Mysterious Gemstone
Black opals are the crown jewels of the opal family. Known for their dark body tone, which ranges from dark gray to jet black, these opals offer a stunning contrast to their vibrant play of color. This dramatic effect makes black opals some of the most mesmerizing and sought-after gemstones in the world.
Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia, is the most famous source of black opals. These opals are renowned for their exceptional quality and intense color play. The dark background of black opals makes the flashes of red, green, blue, and other colors stand out even more vividly, creating a breathtaking display.
The value of black opals is determined by several factors, including their body tone, color play, pattern, brightness, and overall quality. The more vibrant and striking the colors, the more valuable the opal. Black opals with rare patterns like harlequin or rolling flash can command especially high prices. High-quality black opals can fetch thousands of dollars per carat, with some exceptional stones reaching into the tens of thousands.
What Opal Symbolizes
There have been surrounded by myths and legends for centuries. In ancient times, people believed opals contained the essence of all gemstones because of their multi-colored appearance. They were seen as symbols of hope, purity, and truth. The Romans loved opals and thought they symbolized love and hope, while the Greeks believed opals could give the wearer the power of foresight and prophecy.
In the pass , opal were thought to bring good luck and had healing properties and they also considered to enhance creativity and imagination. However, in the 19th century, opals got an unfair reputation for being bad luck, mostly because of Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Anne of Geierstein,” which portrayed an opal causing misfortune.
Today, we know better! Opals are celebrated for their beauty and are seen as symbols of inspiration and emotional stability. They’re the birthstone for October and are often given as gifts for 14th wedding anniversaries.
