Opal

Opal is a fascinating gemstone. No two stones are the same. It is unique as it is composed of microscopic crystallised gel spheres and it is prized because of the the distinctive play of colour.

These colour flashes are caused by diffraction – in other words, white light waves split in to spectral colours and pass between the gaps in the spheres – these gaps very in size and only light wavelengths of a certain size wiill pass through. This explains why we see the spectral colours that we do. Opals are also porous and some examples are composed of 20% water; they are also fragile and must be worn with respect.

Sources for Opal include Australia (South Australia & New South Wales), Ethiopia, and Mexico for the distinctive flame orange variety called ‘Fire Opal’.