Opal Pendants, Opal Earrings and Opal Rings, for example, as well as all other types of Opal Jewellery, are set with gemstones that are to be discussed in the following brief article.
From where does Opal originate?
Opals are mined from Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, USA and Indonesia. But by far the most at around 90% is sourced from Australia.
Black Opal comes mainly from Lightning Ridge region of New South Wales, Australia. Boulder Opal. come mainly from the Quilipe region of Queensland, Australia. Crystal & White/Milk Opal. come mainly from Coober Pedy & Mintable in South Australia.
What is an Opal?
Opals are very similar in composition to that of quartz, due to the fact they are both made up from the same tiny silica particles, but opals also contain approximately 10% water. As white light enters an opal, it passes through and is refracted depending upon the silica particles present. The amount and size of the silica particles present, as well as their location within, directly determines the range of "rainbow" colours associated with that individual stone. Also the angle that the light enters will cause different colours to show, and even disappear in certain circumstances.
The types of Opal
The Solid Opals
These opals are usually shaped from one solid piece and are cut into cabochons with smooth rounded edges and domed tops.
The Inlay Opals
Inlaid opals are usually made up from the Black, Boulder or Crystal varieties, and although they are cut from solid pieces, their underside is much shallower, therefore their weight and price is also less. They are set so the top is level with the surround into which they are placed.
The Doublet Opals
So that a greater display of the "rainbow" colours are shown, most often used in this type of jewellery is Boulder opal. It also has much less weight and depth underneath due to the way it is cut, which decreases its cost. Attached to the back is then placed a layer of ironstone or common opal to basically make up its weight and size. These varieties can also be quite highly respected by many jewellers and collectors.
Triplet Opals
These opal jewellery variations consist of three layers. A thin slice of precious and well coloured opal is sandwiched between a bottom layer of ironstone or common opal that provides a colour background, and a top layer of thicker transparent quartz to provide protection, but along with allowing light to enter easily. These opals although showing great colour displays as do the others, are of much lesser prices due to their being far less carat weight of the precious opal used.
The cutting of opals into cabochons, is by far the most preferred when shaping opals. The domed finish that is produced allows greater passage of light through the gem, as well as a better degree of protection against ant possible damaging knocks. When manufacturing "triplet" opals, then these two latter issues regarding passage of light and protection, are replicated by the use of using transparent quartz as a top layer.
Opals that are cut into faceted shapes such as rounds, princess, pear, marquise or oval, are the varieties that show only one colour play. These are largely from Mexico and Brazil, showing bright yellow-orange or deep orange-red colours respectively. Other opals can be left to show "free" form shapes by cutters, whereby the shape is basically determined by from where the "rainbow" colours exist best within the gem, and from what angle they are seen best.
Opals and Opal Jewellery show fantastic ranges of colour, so please be sure to wear them and show them off...!
From where does Opal originate?
Opals are mined from Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, USA and Indonesia. But by far the most at around 90% is sourced from Australia.
Black Opal comes mainly from Lightning Ridge region of New South Wales, Australia. Boulder Opal. come mainly from the Quilipe region of Queensland, Australia. Crystal & White/Milk Opal. come mainly from Coober Pedy & Mintable in South Australia.
What is an Opal?
Opals are very similar in composition to that of quartz, due to the fact they are both made up from the same tiny silica particles, but opals also contain approximately 10% water. As white light enters an opal, it passes through and is refracted depending upon the silica particles present. The amount and size of the silica particles present, as well as their location within, directly determines the range of "rainbow" colours associated with that individual stone. Also the angle that the light enters will cause different colours to show, and even disappear in certain circumstances.
The types of Opal
The Solid Opals
These opals are usually shaped from one solid piece and are cut into cabochons with smooth rounded edges and domed tops.
The Inlay Opals
Inlaid opals are usually made up from the Black, Boulder or Crystal varieties, and although they are cut from solid pieces, their underside is much shallower, therefore their weight and price is also less. They are set so the top is level with the surround into which they are placed.
The Doublet Opals
So that a greater display of the "rainbow" colours are shown, most often used in this type of jewellery is Boulder opal. It also has much less weight and depth underneath due to the way it is cut, which decreases its cost. Attached to the back is then placed a layer of ironstone or common opal to basically make up its weight and size. These varieties can also be quite highly respected by many jewellers and collectors.
Triplet Opals
These opal jewellery variations consist of three layers. A thin slice of precious and well coloured opal is sandwiched between a bottom layer of ironstone or common opal that provides a colour background, and a top layer of thicker transparent quartz to provide protection, but along with allowing light to enter easily. These opals although showing great colour displays as do the others, are of much lesser prices due to their being far less carat weight of the precious opal used.
The cutting of opals into cabochons, is by far the most preferred when shaping opals. The domed finish that is produced allows greater passage of light through the gem, as well as a better degree of protection against ant possible damaging knocks. When manufacturing "triplet" opals, then these two latter issues regarding passage of light and protection, are replicated by the use of using transparent quartz as a top layer.
Opals that are cut into faceted shapes such as rounds, princess, pear, marquise or oval, are the varieties that show only one colour play. These are largely from Mexico and Brazil, showing bright yellow-orange or deep orange-red colours respectively. Other opals can be left to show "free" form shapes by cutters, whereby the shape is basically determined by from where the "rainbow" colours exist best within the gem, and from what angle they are seen best.
Opals and Opal Jewellery show fantastic ranges of colour, so please be sure to wear them and show them off...!
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