Opal

Opal is a mesmerizing gemstone, resembling a firework in the sky as it displays a spectrum of vibrant hues.

BACK TO GEMSTONE GUIDE

ABOUT OPAL

Opal gets its name from the Sanskrit word for "stone." The gemstone’s most striking feature is its opalescence—an optical phenomenon that causes it to reflect a spectrum of rainbow colors. These hues shift as the stone moves, due to the refraction and reflection of light. In medieval times, writers likened opals to volcanoes, fireworks, and galaxies, associating the gem with love and hope. Due to the rarity of some of its varieties, opal's pricing can rival that of the big three gemstones: emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

Astrological Advice

In ancient times, opal was regarded as an enchanting and enigmatic gemstone, symbolizing luxury, virtue, and good fortune. It was believed to possess the mystical ability to heal eye ailments when placed directly on the eyes. Due to its ability to reflect various colors, opal was thought to carry the qualities of the gemstones it mirrored — the ruby's passion, the sapphire's wealth, the emerald's health, and the yellow sapphire's prosperity. Opal is also the birthstone for those born in October.

FACTS

Species: Opal
Composition: SiO2, nH2O; Hydrous Silicon Dioxide
Crystalsystem: Amorphous
Colour: All
Refractiveindex: 1.37 - 1.52
Specificgravity: 1.98 - 2.50
Fluorescence: White, Bluish, Brownish, Greenish
Dispersion: 0

400 Million

Mintabie mines of Australia are 400 million years old

90 Percent

of world’s total production of opals, comes from Australia

Billions

of uniform silica spheres makes one opal.

Celebrity

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kapil Sharma

QUALITY

Color

With opalescence, opal displays all the colours of rainbow. 

Clarity

Unlike many other gemstones, clarity is not much of importance because opal is known for their colour and diffraction of light.

Origin

Australia produces world’s 90% of opals. Some of the opal mines are also located in Brazil and Mexico.

Certification

Sugar treatment and smoke treatment are the most common treatments for opals. Ask the gem testing laboratory about these treatments.
3 Reasons to Love This Gem
Blue Sapphire
3 Reasons to Love This Gem
1

High in popularity

Like a diamond, pearl is one of the most widely adorned gemstones in the world.

2

Rarity

Due to fishing, oil production, and marine pollution, natural pearls have become one of the rarest gems in the world.

3

Mother-of-Pearl

The nacre-lined shell in the mollusc is considered as the belly which produces pearls.

Frequently Asked Questions