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Natural Opals, as the name suggests, are Opals in their purest form, untouched by human intervention. Born deep within the earth, these Opals took millions of years to form inside the earth and are the result of a complex process involving silica and water.

You can often find a natural Opal nestled within a matrix or host rock, its magical play of color a result of the structure and arrangement of tiny silica spheres within the stone

Precious Opals are the epitome of luxury and elegance. They exhibit a mesmerizing play of color, or "Opal fire," that changes with the angle of observation. This stunning optical phenomenon is a result of light diffracting and interfering with the microscopic spheres of silica present in the stone.

Highly sought after for their unique beauty, precious Opals often serve as the centerpiece of extravagant jewelry pieces that enable the wearer to make a bold statement of both individuality and sophistication.

Don't let the term "common" mislead you about the common Opal. While they may not display the flashy play of color that is characteristic of precious Opals, common Opals have their own understated charm and beauty.

Common Opals, often referred to as “Potch Opals,” offer an affordable alternative for those seeking to incorporate the mystical allure of Opals into their jewelry collection without sacrificing quality or uniqueness

Solid Opals are undeniably enchanting, encapsulating the raw beauty and authenticity of these treasured gems. Unlike doublets or triplets, solid Opals are crafted from a single piece of Opal and are not layered or combined with other materials. This means that the vibrant play of color you see radiates entirely from the Opal itself, unembellished and unaltered by human hands.

The organic charm of solid Opals, coupled with their high quality and uniqueness, make them a highly desirable choice for those seeking a piece of jewelry that evokes elegance and luxury in its most unadulterated form.

Opal doublets and triplets, meanwhile, offer a clever way to enjoy the vibrant color play of precious Opals at a more accessible price point. An Opal doublet consists of a slice of precious Opal adhered to a backing, typically made from ironstone or black potch, which enhances the Opal's color and provides additional strength.

The second-most precious type of Opal is Boulder Opal, the rugged beauty and resilience of which is indeed a marvel among the Opal family. Formed within the crevices and cavities of ironstone boulders, it is a testament to the magical artistry that lies in the heart of nature.

The process of its formation is an extraordinary one. Over countless years, silica-rich water seeps into the voids of these ironstone boulders and hardens, forming Opal. When the Opal is cut along with the ironstone host, the result is a stunning Boulder Opal, characterized by vibrant veins of Opal coursing through a matrix of earthy ironstone.

A fun thing about Boulder Opals is that because the vein of Opal that forms within the ironstone is so thin, Boulder Opals need to retain an ironstone backing in order to be large enough for a full-sized stone. The result is an Opal that looks like a doublet but is actually all-natural!

The formation of boulder Opal occurs exclusively in the Opal fields of Queensland, Australia. These Opals are renowned for their durability and unique aesthetic appeal. The ironstone matrix in which the Opal forms not only provides strength to the gem but also accentuates its color play, creating a dramatic contrast between the vibrant Opal and the dark ironstone background.

Possessing an allure as deep and mysterious as the night sky, the black Opal stands as a beacon among the array of Opal types. It is the crown jewel of the Opal family, revered for its dark body tone which offers a magnificent canvas for a dazzling play of colors.

This nocturnal beauty gets its name not from the color spectrum it displays, but from its black body tone, which is caused by natural impurities (such as iron oxide and carbon present) that were present during formation. Mined primarily in Lightning Ridge in Australia, black Opals are known for their striking brilliance and color intensity, often exhibiting a spectacular rainbow of colors that dance and shimmer with every movement.

White Opal, often referred to as "milky Opal," is an enchanting variety of Opal that exudes a sense of serenity and elegance. Unlike the striking darkness of the black Opal, the white Opal is renowned for its light body tone, ranging from translucent to semi-translucent with a pale white or light cream base.

This softer body tone provides a delicate canvas for the vibrant color play that Opals are known for, creating a harmonious blend of subtlety and vibrancy.

Hailing predominantly from the Opal fields of Coober Pedy in South Australia, the white Opal dazzles with a more muted yet equally fascinating play of colors. It exhibits a broad spectrum of hues, from pastel blues and pinks to vibrant greens and yellows, providing a softer, more romantic display of opulence.

True to its name, crystal Opal is a transparent to semi-transparent variety of Opal that mesmerizes with its clear or light body tone, allowing for a stunning display of spectral delight. Its transparency serves as a window into the gem’s soul, allowing the observer to lose themselves in the iridescent depths of the Opal’s color play.

Originating primarily from Australia (especially South Australia and New South Wales), crystal Opals can display any color in a variety of patterns. Their beauty is amplified by the light that passes through them. The interplay of color and light in a crystal Opal creates a breathtaking spectacle, akin to gazing into a kaleidoscope of shifting hues and patterns.

Blue Opal, often referred to as the "Gem of the Gods," captivates with its tranquilizing azure hues that are reminiscent of serene ocean depths. This Opal type is distinguished by its soothing spectrum of color, varying from sky blue to deeper shades of marine blue.

The charm of a blue Opal lies in its serene play of color, which offers a calming and peaceful vibe compared to the vivacious color palette of other Opal types. Blue Opal owes its captivating color to the silica spheres within the gem. The color we perceive is the result of light diffraction caused by these tiny silica spheres.

Matrix Opal is a unique member of the Opal family that truly stands out for its distinctive charm and allure. Living up to its name, the matrix Opal is an Opal type where the precious Opal is intimately diffused as pinpoints, veins, or networks within a host rock (typically ironstone or sandstone), forming an inseparable unity of color and form.

In other words, the host rock “breaks into” the body of the gemstone. This unique formation results in a fascinating display of colors, where the vibrant hues of the Opal are intricately woven within the earthy tones of the host rock, thereby creating a unique and stunning visual tapestry. It also makes matrix Opals slightly harder than other types of Opal, a strength provided by the host rock.

Fire Opal, often referred to as the sunstone, commands attention with its intense shades of red, orange, and yellow. Predominantly sourced from Mexico, fire Opals are a testament to the raw power and breathtaking beauty that lies in the heart of our planet. In ancient times, the Mayan and Aztec peoples called fire Opals “quetzalitzlipyollitli,” which means “the stone of the bird of paradise.”

The formation of this spectacular Opal type is a marvel of nature. Unlike other types of Opals that are sedimentary in origin, fire Opals are formed in the fiery depths of volcanoes. As lava from volcanoes cools, water in the lava becomes trapped within the mineral structure.