Those of you born in October are fortunate to have such an incredible birthstone, the opal. Deriving their name form the Latin word, “Opalus” which means “precious stone”, this gem is said to symbolize purity, hope and innocence. Opals are semi-transparent and show varying colors in combination to include red, orange yellow, green, blue, white, gray, rose, black, olive, indigo and violet. The color is primarily determined and caused by the gem’s selective absorption of certain wavelengths of light called the body color. Australia produces about 97% of the world’s opal.
Black Opal
Black Opals are the most famous and sought-after type of opal with their characteristic dark body tone causing brightness of color with is unmatched by lighter opals. They are usually mined in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales.
Alex Sepkus Black Opal Pendant
Gurhan 24K Gold Black Opal Paradiso Earrings
White Opal
The White Opal is also is also known as the ‘milky opal’ and features light white body tones. This variety mined in South Australia is more common and generally does not show the color as well as black opals. Nevertheless, they can be absolutely magnificent in color in the higher quality stones.
Pamela Froman 'Ombre Flirty Crush Earrings with White Opal
Boulder Opal
This type of opal forms within the cavities of the boulders in both vertical and horizontal cracks. Boulder opals vary in size and shape and can be very dark and beautiful in color.
Pamela Froman Boulder Opal
Crystal Opal
An opal is characterized as a crystal opal if it has a transparent or semi-transparent body tone. Thus the opals described above could be crystal opals if you can see through the stone. They can have a dark or light body tone, thus the terms, ‘black crystal opal” or “white crystal opal”.
Alex Sepkus Crystal Opal Ring
Fire Opals
It is interesting that a “fire opal’ is not considered one of the distinct opal types. It is a term used primarily by Americans. Technically, the only type of opal know as a ‘fire opal” is the Mexican Fire Opal which has a distinct orange coloring and is mined in Mexico. The term is also used to describe any Australian opal that displays a significant amount of red coloring.
Pamela Froman 'Dancing Flame' Earrings with Matrix Fire Opal Briolettes and Diamonds
Over the last couple of years opals have become extremely popular in jewelry design. We have stunning designer jewelry collections that include opal from Gurhan, Alex Sepkus, Pamela Froman, Erica Courtney and Oscar Heyman. Drop by and visit our gallery in Destin and enjoy these magnificent creations from Mother Nature.
