opal

     

Opal is a mineraloi gel which is deposited at relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, and basalt.

Trivia about opal

  • Varieties of it have included the fire, the white, the black, but not the Buick
  • A birthstone:PL
  • Gemologists call this stone found in abundance in Australia hydrated silica gel
  • This October birthstone often has a white background but displays a rainbow of colors in bright light
  • The harlequin type of this gem is characterized by angular patches of fire
  • (Cheryl of the Clue Crews shows off her stone.) It's one of the only natural gemstones to show play of color, the flashing of different colors within the same stone
  • An English art critic said this gem "shows the most glorious colors to be seen in the world..."
  • The black type of this October birthstone is quite rare, & more valuable than the fire variety
  • Mexico is known for its water & fire varieties of this gem