{"product_id":"opal","title":"Opal","description":"\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Dance of Light — Nature's Most Mesmerising Gemstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Note from Enchantress\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery crystal in this library has been researched with care to bring together geology, history, craftsmanship and the traditional stories that have surrounded these remarkable minerals for generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScience helps us understand how these treasures formed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory tells us how people have cherished them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTradition shares the meanings many have found in them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe believe each perspective has something valuable to offer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you're here to learn, collect, decorate your home or simply satisfy your curiosity, you're warmly welcome.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\n\u003ccol width=\"127\"\u003e\n\u003ccol width=\"475\"\u003e\n\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMineral Group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMineraloid (Hydrated Silica)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChemical Formula\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSiO₂·nH₂O (Hydrated Silicon Dioxide)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal System\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmorphous (Non-crystalline)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMohs Hardness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.5–6.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTypical Colours\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhite • Black • Grey • Blue • Green • Pink • Orange • Red • Yellow • Brown • Colourless • Multicoloured\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransparency\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransparent to Opaque\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLustre\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVitreous to Waxy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Sources\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia • Ethiopia • Mexico • Brazil • Honduras • United States • Indonesia • Slovakia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRarity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon to Extremely Rare, depending on the variety\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable for Jewellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes, with thoughtful care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrief contact with clean water is generally suitable. Prolonged soaking is not recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid prolonged exposure to intense heat or direct sunlight, particularly for hydrophane varieties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToxicity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSafe to handle. Do not ingest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Treatments\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome Opals are stabilised, smoked, sugar-treated, dyed, assembled as doublets or triplets, or resin impregnated. Natural and treated material should always be clearly identified.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs Opal Right for You?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are gemstones that sparkle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen there is Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo other gem plays with light in quite the same way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTilt an Opal gently beneath the light and suddenly brilliant flashes of electric blue, emerald green, fiery orange, crimson red and violet appear, disappear and dance across its surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt almost seems alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor centuries, people struggled to explain this remarkable phenomenon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome believed Opals contained imprisoned rainbows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers imagined they held lightning, fire or fragments of the Northern Lights.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday we understand the science behind their extraordinary colours, yet somehow the experience remains just as magical.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut not all Opals display this famous play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome captivate with soft pastel tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers with swirling patterns, ironstone landscapes or glowing translucent bodies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome preserve ancient fossils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers formed inside volcanic rocks or weathered sandstone millions of years ago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Opal family is every bit as diverse as it is beautiful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou may enjoy Opal if you appreciate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Extraordinary natural colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Unique optical phenomena\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Geological curiosities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fine jewellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Australian gemstones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Collector specimens unlike any other mineral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you're discovering your very first Opal or searching for an exceptional collector's piece, few gemstones inspire wonder quite like nature's own masterpiece of light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailable Forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal occurs in an astonishing variety of natural forms and is found in both precious and common varieties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt may be discovered as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rough Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Seam Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Nobby Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Matrix Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Boulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Crystal Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Solid Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Black Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• White Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Light Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fire Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Jelly Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hyalite Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Common Opal (Potch)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Tumbled Stones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Freeforms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Palm Stones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hearts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Eggs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Carvings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Cabochons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Beads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Jewellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Collector Specimens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe remarkable Opal family includes many beautiful natural varieties, including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralian Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Black Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• White Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Crystal Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Boulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Matrix Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Seam Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Pipe Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Yowah Nut Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Koroit Boulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Andamooka Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Coober Pedy Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Lightning Ridge Black Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Welo (Wollo) Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hydrophane Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Chocolate Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Crystal Ethiopian Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMexican Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fire Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Precious Fire Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Water Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Cantera Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Important Varieties\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hyalite Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Girasol Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Pink Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Blue Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Green Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Dendritic Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Moss Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Wood Opal (Opalised Wood)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fossil Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Opalised Shell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Opalised Ammonite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Opalised Bone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery variety tells a different geological story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome formed within ancient sedimentary rocks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers crystallised from volcanic activity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome contain extraordinary flashes of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers reveal quiet beauty through soft translucency, delicate patterns or remarkable fossil preservation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstone families are as wonderfully diverse as Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiscover Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are few natural treasures that inspire wonder quite like Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike gemstones that owe their beauty to colour alone, Opal creates colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMove it gently beneath the light and brilliant flashes of crimson, emerald, sapphire blue, fiery orange and violet appear, disappear and shift with every movement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt seems almost impossible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor centuries, people believed Opals contained trapped rainbows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers imagined they held lightning, moonlight or fragments of the heavens themselves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven today, when we understand the science behind these remarkable colours, the experience remains no less captivating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt feels as though the stone is alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYet Opal is full of surprises.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps the first is that it isn't actually a mineral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike Quartz, Tourmaline or Calcite, Opal has no repeating crystal structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead, it is classified as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emineraloid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a naturally occurring substance composed primarily of hydrated silica that never develops true crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts beauty comes from an entirely different kind of order.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMicroscopic silica spheres, packed together with astonishing precision, interact with light to create one of nature's most spectacular optical displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut not every Opal displays this famous play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome glow with gentle pastel blues or soft pinks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers reveal intricate dendritic patterns, translucent bodies or warm honey-like tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia's famous Boulder Opals preserve rivers of precious colour flowing through ancient ironstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMexican Fire Opals glow like liquid sunlight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian Opals seem to shimmer from within.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach variety tells a different geological story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one is extraordinary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Story Written by the Earth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal is composed primarily of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehydrated silicon dioxide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, written chemically as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSiO₂·nH₂O\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike Quartz, whose atoms are arranged in a perfectly ordered crystal lattice, Opal forms without a repeating crystalline structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor this reason, it is classified as an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eamorphous mineraloid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e rather than a true mineral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough this may sound like a small distinction, it is precisely what makes Opal so unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMost Opal begins with water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilica-rich groundwater slowly moves through cracks, cavities and porous rocks, dissolving tiny amounts of silica from surrounding materials.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOver immense periods of time, this water gradually evaporates or changes chemically, leaving behind microscopic silica spheres suspended within a gel-like deposit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs the water continues to disappear, the silica hardens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEventually, Opal is born.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf these silica spheres are irregular in size or arrangement, the result is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, sometimes called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which displays beautiful body colours but no play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, when nature performs an extraordinary feat of microscopic precision, something remarkable happens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf the silica spheres are almost perfectly uniform in size and arranged into tightly packed three-dimensional layers, they begin interacting with light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than allowing light to pass straight through, the spheres diffract different wavelengths, separating white light into brilliant flashes of spectral colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis phenomenon is known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eplay of colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike the colours of pigments or dyes, these colours are entirely structural.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are created by the way light behaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDifferent sphere sizes produce different colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarger spheres tend to create reds and oranges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmaller spheres produce blues and violets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause the angle of incoming light constantly changes, the colours appear to move as the stone is rotated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is why no two precious Opals ever look exactly alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne stone may display broad flashes of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother fine pinfire patterns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers reveal rolling flash, harlequin patterns, ribbon structures or spectacular floral displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach pattern reflects the microscopic architecture created by nature millions of years ago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal forms in several very different geological environments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe world's most famous deposits occur within the sedimentary rocks of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere, silica-rich groundwater slowly filled fractures, cavities and fossil remains during long periods of weathering in an ancient inland sea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese deposits produced the legendary Opals of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightning Ridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoober Pedy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAndamooka\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoroit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYowah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralian Opals include some of the world's finest \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhite Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn contrast, much of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e formed within volcanic rocks rather than sedimentary deposits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany Ethiopian specimens are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehydrophane\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning they can temporarily absorb water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen wet, these Opals may become more transparent and their appearance can change dramatically until they dry again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis fascinating property makes Ethiopian material unlike almost any other major Opal source.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is renowned for its magnificent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFire Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose vivid orange, yellow and red body colours are created primarily by trace amounts of iron.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome display precious play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers are treasured purely for their remarkable body colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMexico also produces beautiful \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCantera Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where precious Opal remains naturally enclosed within its original volcanic host rock.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal also forms in remarkable association with ancient life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilica-rich groundwater occasionally replaced the original material within wood, shells, bones and even dinosaur fossils, preserving their structure while transforming them into Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia is particularly famous for spectacular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpalised Fossils\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including shells, marine reptiles and dinosaur bones that shimmer with precious colour millions of years after the original organisms disappeared.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a Mohs hardness of approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.5 to 6.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Opal is softer than Quartz and deserves thoughtful handling, particularly when set into jewellery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts beauty lies not only in its colour but in the extraordinary journey that created it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilica.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTime.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstones combine these elements so beautifully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNature's Signature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo two Opals have ever displayed exactly the same play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven stones recovered from the same seam may reveal completely different flashes, patterns and body colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors often describe Opal as having its own personality because every specimen interacts with light in a unique way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome display delicate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epinfire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where countless tiny flashes sparkle across the surface like stars in a night sky.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers reveal broad sweeping flashes that roll dramatically across the stone as it moves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare specimens produce striking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eharlequin patterns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where blocks of colour form an almost mosaic-like appearance—one of the most prized optical effects in the Opal world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody colour also varies enormously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome Opals are crystal clear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers are milky white, deep black, translucent grey, fiery orange, soft pink or tranquil blue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body colour acts as the backdrop against which the play of colour performs, often influencing how vivid the spectral flashes appear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opals preserve veins of precious Opal naturally attached to ironstone, creating dramatic landscapes that are unique to Queensland, Australia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatrix Opals display precious colour woven throughout their host rock.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian Hydrophane Opals may temporarily change appearance when exposed to water before returning to their original state as they dry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFossil Opals preserve the intricate structure of ancient shells, wood and bones while replacing the original material with shimmering silica.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese remarkable variations are not imperfections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are nature's signature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery flash of colour, every pattern and every shimmering rainbow records a microscopic arrangement of silica spheres that has never existed before—and will never be repeated again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough Human Eyes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstones have inspired as much fascination, admiration and superstition as Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor thousands of years, people have looked into its shifting colours and struggled to explain what they were seeing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike almost every other gemstone, Opal seems to contain light itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts colours appear, disappear and change with every movement, making it feel almost alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ancient Romans adored Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey believed it combined the beauty of every other gemstone into one remarkable treasure because its shifting colours contained the reds of Ruby, the greens of Emerald, the blues of Sapphire and the golden warmth of Topaz all at once.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Roman scholar \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePliny the Elder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e wrote about Opal with enormous admiration, describing its colours as impossible to capture in words. Even today, anyone who has held a fine Black Opal beneath changing light understands exactly what he meant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eupala\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"precious stone,\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e which later became the Greek \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eopallios\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and eventually the Latin \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eopalus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor thousands of years, it has simply been regarded as something precious.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the Middle Ages, Opal was often considered one of the luckiest gemstones a person could own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause it displayed so many colours, many believed it possessed the virtues of every coloured gemstone combined.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKings and queens treasured it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtists admired it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTravellers carried it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts reputation remained overwhelmingly positive for centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurprisingly, Opal's unfortunate reputation as an \"unlucky stone\" is relatively recent.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1829, Sir Walter Scott published the novel \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnne of Geierstein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, in which an enchanted Opal loses its brilliance before the story's heroine dies. Although entirely fictional, the novel became enormously popular throughout Europe, and public perception shifted dramatically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJewellers noticed sales decline.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuperstition spread.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA work of fiction had unintentionally changed the reputation of one of history's most admired gemstones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFortunately, that misconception has steadily faded.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Opal is once again recognised for what it truly is:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most extraordinary natural gemstones ever discovered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia has played a particularly important role in Opal's modern story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore than \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90% of the world's precious Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has traditionally come from Australian deposits, making it the country's national gemstone and one of its most celebrated natural treasures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe legendary fields of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightning Ridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoober Pedy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAndamooka\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYowah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoroit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e have produced some of the finest Opals ever discovered, attracting miners, collectors and gem enthusiasts from around the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Ethiopia has also emerged as one of the world's most important Opal producers, introducing spectacular hydrophane material with its own distinctive beauty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether, these regions continue to shape the modern Opal story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Has Opal Captured Our Imagination?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcross countless cultures, Opal has become associated with imagination, inspiration, hope and transformation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps this symbolism arose naturally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstones seem to change quite so dramatically with every movement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts shifting colours encourage us to look again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo notice something new.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo appreciate that beauty can appear differently depending on perspective.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany people choose Opal during times of change or creativity, appreciating the way its colours constantly evolve beneath the light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers simply admire the remarkable science behind its formation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTiny spheres of silica.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfectly arranged.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeparating white light into every colour of the rainbow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt Enchantress Collective, we believe both perspectives enrich our appreciation of this extraordinary gemstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe science is breathtaking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe history is fascinating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe symbolism reflects humanity's enduring desire to find meaning in beauty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you're drawn to Opal through geology, jewellery, collecting, Australian history or personal symbolism, there is room for every perspective here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditionally Associated With\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Creativity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Inspiration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hope\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Imagination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Joy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Transformation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Emotional expression\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Wonder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommonly Connected With\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause Opal occurs in many colours, different traditions associate different varieties with different correspondences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome of the most widely recognised include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhite Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Crown Chakra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Root • Third Eye\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFire Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Sacral Chakra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePink Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Heart Chakra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Throat Chakra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese associations vary between traditions and are shared as part of Opal's rich cultural history rather than scientific fact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth perspectives are equally welcome.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector's Eye\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstones inspire collectors quite like Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo two stones ever display exactly the same play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven experienced gemmologists often find themselves captivated by a particularly beautiful flash that seems impossible to photograph and difficult to describe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors evaluate Opal very differently from most gemstones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour is important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut so too are pattern, brightness, body tone, transparency and the way colours move across the stone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the most admired patterns are:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Harlequin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Broad Flash\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rolling Flash\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Ribbon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Floral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Chinese Writing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Pinfire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Peacock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach creates its own unique visual experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is widely regarded as the most valuable variety because its naturally dark body tone provides dramatic contrast for brilliant spectral colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is equally admired for its exceptional transparency and vivid flashes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors also treasure \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where precious Opal remains naturally attached to ironstone, creating spectacular natural landscapes unlike any other gemstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncreasingly, Ethiopian Opals have become popular for their brilliant colour displays and remarkable transparency.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany collectors also specialise in fossil Opals, particularly Australia's extraordinary opalised shells, wood and dinosaur fossils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew gemstones offer such remarkable diversity within a single family.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRarity \u0026amp; Collectability\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot all Opals are equally rare.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile common Opal occurs in many parts of the world, exceptional precious Opal displaying vivid play of colour is considerably less abundant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors often seek:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Strong play of colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Brightness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Multiple spectral colours\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rare pattern types\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Stable body colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Natural untreated material\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Documented locality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Large clean specimens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the most prized are:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Lightning Ridge Black Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fine Crystal Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Exceptional Boulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Harlequin Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fine Fire Opal with play of colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rare opalised fossils\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Museum-quality Ethiopian Crystal Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps more than any other gemstone, Opal reminds us that rarity is not measured simply by size or weight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes it is measured by a single flash of colour that appears for only a moment before disappearing forever.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat fleeting beauty is part of what makes Opal one of the world's most captivating natural treasures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoosing Your Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoosing an Opal is unlike choosing almost any other gemstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou don't simply look at an Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou experience it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHold one beneath the light and slowly turn it in your hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatch as colours appear where moments before there seemed to be none.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrilliant greens suddenly ignite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeep blues shimmer into view.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA flash of fiery orange races across the surface before disappearing just as quickly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery movement reveals something new.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo photograph can ever fully capture this experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're choosing an Opal for jewellery, don't focus on finding the \"best\" stone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead, look for the one that keeps drawing your eye.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps you love the dramatic contrast of Australian Black Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crystal-clear brilliance of Crystal Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe earthy landscapes of Boulder Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOr the warm volcanic glow of Mexican Fire Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach variety has its own unique personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors often consider several characteristics when selecting Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebody colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e forms the background upon which the play of colour performs. Dark body tones generally make colours appear more dramatic, while lighter body colours create a softer, more delicate appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrightness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of the play of colour is also important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome Opals display subtle flashes visible only under certain lighting, while exceptional specimens seem almost illuminated from within.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattern plays a significant role too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome people fall in love with fine pinfire patterns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOthers seek broad flashes of colour, ribbons, floral displays or the rare mosaic-like Harlequin pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is no universal favourite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeauty is wonderfully personal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're choosing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, take time to appreciate the relationship between the precious Opal and its natural ironstone host rock.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike solid Opal, Boulder Opal celebrates the landscape from which it formed. Every vein of colour winding through the ancient ironstone is entirely unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're considering \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian Hydrophane Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it's worth understanding its unique nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHydrophane Opals can temporarily absorb water, which may change their appearance until they dry naturally. This remarkable characteristic is part of their geological identity and one of the reasons they are so fascinating to collect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbove all else...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eView an Opal in different lighting conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural daylight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoft indoor light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGentle directional lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach environment reveals a different side of the stone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn Opal that continues to surprise you every time you look at it is often the one you'll treasure most.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaring for Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal is a beautiful gemstone that rewards gentle handling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a Mohs hardness of approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.5–6.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it is softer than Quartz and many commonly worn gemstones, making thoughtful care especially important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo care for your Opal:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Clean using lukewarm water and a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efragrance-free soap made with naturally occurring surfactants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. These gentle cleansers are less likely to leave residues on the surface of the stone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rinse thoroughly with clean water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Dry gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Protect Opal from sharp impacts and abrasion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Store jewellery separately from harder gemstones to minimise scratching.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Avoid exposing Opals to sudden or extreme temperature changes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertain varieties deserve additional care.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHydrophane Ethiopian Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e naturally absorb water. While occasional contact with clean water is not harmful, prolonged soaking may temporarily alter their appearance until they have completely dried. This is a natural characteristic rather than damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDoublets and Triplets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e should never be soaked, as prolonged exposure to water may weaken the adhesive layers that hold the assembled stone together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith thoughtful care, Opal will continue to delight for generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSafety \u0026amp; Handling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal is considered safe for normal handling and jewellery use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike all gemstones, it should not be ingested and should be kept away from very young children who may place small objects in their mouths.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause Opal is softer than many gemstones, it can chip or scratch if knocked against hard surfaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProtect Opals from prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals, strong acids and household cleaning products.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen removing jewellery, place Opal pieces gently onto a soft surface rather than directly onto stone or tiled benchtops.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThoughtful handling is the best way to preserve this remarkable gemstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurious Minds Want to Know\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the rarest natural events in the world can happen inside an Opal...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNature can create a rainbow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot with pigments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot with minerals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot with dyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead, billions of microscopic silica spheres—each smaller than a wavelength of light—are stacked with astonishing precision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs white light enters the stone, these tiny spheres separate it into its individual colours, much like a prism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery flash of blue, green, orange or red you see is simply white light being rearranged by one of nature's finest pieces of microscopic engineering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's an extraordinary reminder that sometimes the greatest artists are also remarkable physicists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs Opal a mineral?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot quite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal is classified as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emineraloid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e because it lacks the ordered crystal structure found in true minerals, even though it is naturally occurring and composed primarily of hydrated silica.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy does Opal display so many colours?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe famous play of colour is created by billions of microscopic silica spheres arranged in an exceptionally regular pattern. These spheres diffract white light into different colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat is the difference between Precious Opal and Common Opal?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrecious Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e displays play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (sometimes called Potch) does not, although it may still display beautiful body colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat is Boulder Opal?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opal forms naturally within ironstone and is usually cut with part of the host rock attached. The ironstone becomes part of the finished gemstone and is one of Boulder Opal's defining characteristics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy does Ethiopian Opal change appearance when wet?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany Ethiopian Opals are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehydrophane\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning they can temporarily absorb water. This may alter their transparency or appearance until the water naturally evaporates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAre all Opals from Australia?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralia remains the world's most famous source of precious Opal, but significant deposits also occur in Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Slovakia and the United States.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCan Opal go in water?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrief cleaning with water is generally suitable for most solid Opals. Use lukewarm water with a fragrance-free soap made with naturally occurring surfactants, rinse thoroughly and dry gently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, assembled Opals (doublets and triplets) should not be soaked, and Hydrophane Ethiopian Opals should not be left immersed for extended periods because they naturally absorb water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelated Crystals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf Opal has captured your imagination, you may also enjoy exploring:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Hyalite Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Chalcedony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Agate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Labradorite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Moonstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Sunstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Ammolite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fire Agate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Rainbow Obsidian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fluorite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Calcite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Petrified Wood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Opalised Fossils\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Gentle Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery Opal is completely unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo two stones have ever displayed exactly the same play of colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flashes, patterns and shifting rainbows within your Opal developed naturally through the microscopic arrangement of silica spheres over millions of years. Even stones from the same mine can display entirely different combinations of colour, brightness and pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody colour also varies naturally, ranging from brilliant white and crystal clear to deep black, fiery orange, tranquil blue, soft pink and earthy brown. Boulder Opals preserve their natural ironstone host rock, Matrix Opals reveal precious colour woven through their parent rock, while Hydrophane Opals from Ethiopia possess the remarkable ability to temporarily absorb water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese natural characteristics are not imperfections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are nature's signature—evidence of one of the most extraordinary optical phenomena found anywhere in the natural world. Every Opal tells its own story through light, and no other stone will ever tell it in quite the same way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn Enchantress Reflection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI honestly don't think there has ever been a gemstone that has made me stop and simply stare quite like Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhotographs never prepare you for the real thing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can look at hundreds of pictures online, but the moment you hold a beautiful Opal in your hand and slowly turn it beneath the light, you realise something important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt isn't just a gemstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's an experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colours don't sit on the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey move.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne moment you see deep ocean blues.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen brilliant emerald greens appear from nowhere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA flash of fiery orange races across the stone before disappearing again, replaced by crimson, violet or gold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's almost impossible to predict.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery tiny movement creates an entirely different painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI find that endlessly fascinating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat I love even more is understanding \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e it happens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThose incredible colours aren't pigments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're not trapped pieces of rainbow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're created by billions upon billions of microscopic silica spheres, each arranged with astonishing precision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe scientist in me finds that incredible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe child in me still thinks it's magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd somehow, those two ideas happily exist together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeing Australian, I also think there's something rather special about Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt feels like part of our story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vast red landscapes of Coober Pedy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe legendary black Opals of Lightning Ridge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe breathtaking Boulder Opals of Queensland, where brilliant rivers of colour flow through ancient ironstone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese aren't just beautiful gemstones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're pieces of Australia's geological history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery time I see a Boulder Opal, I'm reminded why it's one of my favourite varieties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love that the ironstone wasn't cut away.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead, it's celebrated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe host rock becomes part of the artwork, giving every piece its own tiny landscape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt feels honest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnapologetically itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps that's what I admire most about Opal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt doesn't reveal everything at once.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt asks you to slow down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo move it gently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo look from another angle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd every time you do, it rewards your curiosity with something you hadn't noticed before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI think there are lessons in that.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes beauty isn't something that shouts for our attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes it waits patiently for us to really look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd when we do...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt can take our breath away.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional Crystal Symbolism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThroughout history, people from many different cultures have attributed symbolic, spiritual and metaphysical meanings to gemstones and crystals. These traditions continue to be valued and explored by many people today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt Enchantress Collective, we share these traditional associations with genuine respect for the cultures and communities from which they have grown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, they are offered as part of the rich history and ongoing conversation surrounding gemstones, rather than as scientifically established fact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal uses are not always scientifically proven and should be used supportively in conjunction with professional medical, psychological or healthcare advice and treatment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe metaphysical associations shared throughout the Enchantress Collective Crystal Library are presented for historical, cultural and personal interest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Variation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhotographs are representative of the quality and style you can expect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpal is one of nature's most individual creations, and no two pieces will ever display exactly the same combination of colours, patterns or optical effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery Opal formed as silica-rich water slowly deposited microscopic spheres of hydrated silica over immense periods of time. The precise size and arrangement of these spheres determine how light interacts with the stone, creating the extraordinary play of colour for which precious Opal is celebrated. Because these microscopic structures are never repeated in exactly the same way, every Opal possesses its own unique visual fingerprint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody colour also varies naturally. Your Opal may be white, crystal clear, grey, black, fiery orange, soft pink, tranquil blue or earthy brown, depending on its origin and geological history. The flashes of colour may appear as tiny pinfire sparks, broad rolling flashes, ribbons, floral patterns, harlequin mosaics or countless other natural designs that shift beautifully as the stone moves beneath the light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you have chosen \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoulder Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the ironstone attached to the gemstone is not waste material—it is an essential part of the stone's natural formation and one of the defining characteristics that makes Boulder Opal so distinctive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf your Opal comes from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightning Ridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoober Pedy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAndamooka\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoroit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYowah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or another famous locality, its colours and patterns reflect the unique geological conditions of that region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome varieties, particularly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHydrophane Ethiopian Opals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, naturally absorb small amounts of water, temporarily changing their appearance before gradually returning to their original look as they dry. This remarkable characteristic is a natural property of the material and part of what makes these Opals so fascinating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese natural characteristics are not imperfections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are nature's signature—an extraordinary record of light, water, silica and time, preserved within one of the world's most captivating gemstones. Every Opal tells its own story, and no other stone will ever tell exactly the same one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eEvery crystal has a story.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThank you for taking the time to discover this one.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Enchantress Collective","offers":[{"title":"Boulder Opal \/ Tumbled","offer_id":51000342020132,"sku":"TUBO","price":3.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0789\/6822\/5828\/files\/BoulderOpal.jpg?v=1782816220","url":"https:\/\/enchantresscollective.com.au\/products\/opal","provider":"Enchantress Collective","version":"1.0","type":"link"}