10 Interesting Opal Facts You May Not Know
Opals are among the most precious stones in the world, right up there with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires in terms of their one-of-a-kind beauty, stunning colouration, and high monetary value.
Because of its captivating beauty and ability to display a kaleidoscope of colours that encompass all of the colours in the spectrum. Opals are regarded to be one of the most valuable types of gemstones. Many people who like jewellery seek them out because of their one-of-a-kind beauty.
We have expanded our selection of exquisite fine jewellery to include a new assortment of pieces crafted using opals and diamonds.
This article will discuss the opal and provide some interesting opal facts to help you enjoy these magnificent iridescent gemstones.
How much do we truly know about this stone that has a mysterious past? What exactly is an opal, and what are its constituent parts? Let's find out the answers to these questions and more by learning some fascinating information about this one-of-a-kind, colourful, and priceless gemstone.
1) The English word "opal" is derived from the Latin word "opalus," which literally translates to "precious stone." Some experts believe that the word may derive from an even earlier Sanskrit word, “upala”. Whichever is correct, we can be sure that opals have fascinated lovers of precious stones for thousands of years!
2) Opals are multi-coloured and composed of water trapped between minuscule silica spheres arranged in a predictable manner. The spheres scatter the white light, dividing it into the hues of the spectrum. This phenomenon is called opalescence. All colours are emitted by larger spheres, but only blues and greens are produced by smaller ones. Opals that are mostly red are extremely rare and only occur in deposits of larger silica spheres.
3) Because opal is composed of hydrated silica, which can include up to twenty per cent water, an opal may get dehydrated if it is left in a warm setting for an extended period. Because of this, taking care of any of your jewellery that contains opals is quite vital.
Opal 0.76ct and Diamond 0.42ct Cluster Ring in 9K Yellow Gold
£577.00
£997.00
Here is an opal and diamond ring that looks absolutely gorgeous with its 9k yellow gold setting. The UK-designed ring features a lovely cluster of diamonds around the oval opal. The opal measures 0.76ct, and the G/SI quality diamonds total… read more
4) Australia is the most important source of opals in the world. Opals mined in Australia are widely regarded as some of the best in the world. There are three locations in Australia that are responsible for producing over 97% of the world's supply of opals. These regions are New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. Other countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, the United States of America, Peru, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua, are also known to produce opals.
5) Opal is the gemstone that represents the month of October. The opal is associated with fidelity and self-assurance. Both the Latin term opalus, which means "valuable jewel," and the Greek word opallios, which means "to notice a shift in hue," contributed to the development of this word. People who wear opals believe that they will attract beauty and pleasure to themselves.
6) The black opal is the most precious type of opal since it is so rare. Black opals are very dark because they contain trace amounts of iron oxide and carbon, which are absent in regular opals. The rainbow colours of a black opal stand out much more than in a lighter opal due to their dark body tone. Some people believe that black opal is completely black, but this is not true. The beauty of this type of opal comes from the contrast between the black and the rainbow of colours within the stone.
7) Opals are available in a rainbow of different colours. The colours white, orange, yellow, red, blue, green, purple, grey, brown, and black are included in this group. Opals get their beautiful colour play from tiny bits of silica that scatter the light that passes through the stone. The colour play in precious opals is significantly more arresting than that found in ordinary opals, which is one of the reasons why the world's most skilled jewellers and fashion designers covet the highest quality stones above all others.
Opal 1.12ct and Diamond 0.52ct Cluster Ring in 9K Yellow Gold
£717.00
£1,247.00
A unique, modern and striking ring that you'll want to wear again and again. Opal is one of nature's gems, with natural beauty and unique texture that adds an elegant and distinctive touch to any style. This ring is set… read more
8) Opals of the highest quality have a full play of colour, ranging from yellow, blue, and green to violet, flaming red, and orange. These colours can be seen within the opal. The greater the variety of colours that an opal displays, the higher its value. In addition to the play of colour, the body tone, pattern, and brilliance of the opal, as well as the shape of the opal itself, all play significant roles in deciding the value of this beautiful gemstone.
9) Storage of your opal jewellery should be done with care. Because your opal contains water, it can dry out and lose its lustre in overly dry conditions. We recommend long-term storage as follows: wrap the jewellery in cotton wool dampened with just a little water. Pop the cotton wool and jewellery into a Ziploc bag. This will stop the opal from drying out and will not cause any harm.
10) You may see opals being described as a doublet or triplet. Do not make the mistake of thinking these are a superior form of opal. Doublets and triplets are ways to make an opal appear to be of higher quality. A doublet is a genuine opal with a black backing that enhances the colour. A triplet also has a black backing but has a quartz or glass cap in a dome shape that magnifies the opal beneath, making its iridescence more visible.
Opal 1.49ct and Diamond 0.82ct Cluster Ring in 9K Yellow Gold
£937.00
£1,627.00
This opal and diamond cluster ring in yellow gold is a classic yet modern ring that will look fabulous on your finger. The opal in the centre gives off a stunning creamy colour with iridescent highlights, and the diamonds clustered… read more
Now that you have some new opal facts under your belt, discover the beauty of opal jewellery. Please check out our collection of opal and diamond jewellery. We think that the opal's iridescence makes a perfect match for the fire and brilliance of high-quality diamonds. We are sure that you will agree! Our British designers and craftsmen have worked hard to create something special for you – opal and diamond jewellery that will last a lifetime.
