6 Different Types Of Opal Stones That Anyone Cannot Resist To Love Devina Cruz Follow Feb 24 · 6 min read

Dear readers! Today we will traditionally talk about one of the most beautiful stones — OPAL STONE — The queen of all gemstones.

Opal stone is a gem, colored as space, rainbow, and it indeed relates to something extraordinarily magical.

Interested? Let’s start!

Opal stone doesn’t have any crystal structure that other natural minerals possess. It ranks low on the Mohs scale of hardness.

It is impossible to ignore the beautiful dance of colors that happens with every movement, called the opalescence effect.

Rainbow modulations, changing at the smallest rotation of the opal stone, are caused by the refraction of light to submicroscopic particles of silica.

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The opals that experience such effects are called noble and go to the category of precious stones.

There are many different types of natural opals viz., Ethiopian, matrix, Harlequin, Contra-luz, Morado, Andamooka, and Honduran Opal.

Ethiopian Opal Stones

Australia has been the dominant power in the opal market for over 100 years. During the early time, as much as 95% of the standard opal production has been worked in Australia.

Today, Ethiopia is on its way to developing the second largest opal market in the world.

A small discovery in 1994 has put Ethiopia on the universal opal map. This achievement was followed by some evident developments in 2008 and 2013.

These are now producing beautiful precious Opal, fire opal, and black Opal with spectacular play-of-color in a variety of patterns and textures.

Ethiopian opals are not only attractive, but they usually cost less than similar-quality Opal from Australia.

Opal from this area occurs in a wide range of colors. Mostly, these Opals are of brown, red, or orange-colored, but yellow, white, and transparent colors are also very common.

Harlequin Opal Stones

The Harlequin Opal is the one stone that the expert opal lovers and miners wish to find. This is a scarce variety of opal gemstone.

Some stones may possess a fraction of the qualities of this Opal stone. Still, to be authentic harlequin opal, it needs to encase every attribute of the gemstone and not just a part of it.

The word Harlequin is a French word used in the 16th century to describe the comedian of an opera play. This character used an outfit with irregular shapes and bright colors, similar to the appearance of this opal stone.

Contra-luz Opal Stones

It is suitable for a unique jewelry experience because of the brilliant transparent crystal body having an excellent, firey play-of-color that is high gem quality.

The piece has a botryoidal jasper structure, which forms a unique addition.

The standard gem weighs about 119.0 carats and measuring 46.0 x 44.0 x 10.1mm.

Contraluz is the Opal, where you can see the play of colors suspended inside by illuminating the rear of the stone. This is Unlike most Opals, where the light enters from the front to enhance the fire.

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Morado Opal stones

The Morado opals are quite stunning. Morado is a Spanish word meaning ‘purple,’ which is where this gemstone got its name.

Mined in central Mexico, Morado opals are a particular sort of common Opal found with a better than usual content of quartz and fluorite. This is where the interesting marbled purple, black, and white variations of color come from.

In one gemstone, you hit into the energies of Opal, quartz, and fluorite. It seems like a better combination stone to me.

Morado opal is best for working with the pineal eye Chakra and concerning higher knowledge.

It’s believed to bring the energy of the Pleiadians to you while deepening your meditation practice.

So if you’re seeking higher knowledge and answers, this is often your tool.

Quartz magnifies the facility around it. Therefore the high inspirational and artistic energies of Opal and consequently the spiritual clarity and attunement of fluorite are amplified in these stones.

Andamooka Opal Stones

Andamooka Opal was created by Sam Brookes and Roy Sheppard.

Stuck during a thunderstorm, they sheltered under a tree when a beautiful and unusual rock caught their attention. This was Andamooka opal.

Smaller deposits were found afterwards as well in the areas of Lambina during 1930 and Stuart Creek in 1947.

Opal at Andamooka is found near the small marine ‘Bulldog Shale,’ which is a vital portion of the Marree Subgroup of the first Cretaceous.

Andamooka Opal Stone is additionally referred to as the “Queen’s Opal.”

It was cut and set into an 18-carat palladium choker band in 1954, which was presented to Queen Elizabeth on the event of her first authorized state trip to Australia.

Nowadays, the necklace and earrings have estimated a part of Queen Elizabeth’s unique crown jewels. The standard Opal weighed 203 carats.

Honduran Opal Stones

Honduran opals are easily distinguished from other opal gemstones due to their distinct coloring. These opals can range between a milky-white appearance to multi-colored ones.

These opals are initially formed by the volcanic eruptions that happened in South America.

Australia is also known for producing the world’s best opals. Still, Honduras opal is believed to have the oldest opal mines within the world as a whole.

They even have one among the foremost famous mines within the world, called to as the Tablon mine.

There are a lot of farms that subsidize their incomes by mining opals.

The opal mines in Honduras are found in black volcanic basalt. This is often why the Black Matrix opals in Honduras naturally have this gorgeous and unique black color.

Some of these are soaked in resin after mining, which is a similar process used for treating emeralds.

Opals aren’t confirmed as ring stones unless the stone is placed in a protective setting or a triplet or reserved for individual wear.

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Tips To Help You Buy Opal Stones Jewelry

With so many colors, patterns, and price points, buying opals and opal jewelry can sometimes be a little confusing.

So, to help you find the perfect Opal here is the last suggestion.

If you’re crazy about the Ethiopian Opal, but your partner thinks that the crystal opal is more attractive, then it’s best to go with your instincts. And, this applies to both of you.

Remember, ultimately, it will be you who has to be comfortable wearing the Opal for several years to come, and it should reflect your suggestion and style.