SEA Imports, Inc. – Global exotic gift center.

Due to the ease with which opals will give up or take up water, they are considered to be a living stone which can move forward in the future. It is not surprising that some people that such journeys age the opal beyond its limitation and causes aging, which leads to it cracking. Opals are a famine stone, once thought to guard against grey hair in blonde women. It was also believed to make childbirth less painful. Due to their cantankerous nature, opals should be kept from other stones.

Crystal System: Non-crystalline

Color of Streak: White

Moth’s Scale: 5.5 -6.5

Density: 1.98-2.50

Refractive Index: 1.37-1.52

Double Refraction: None

Cleavage: None

Chemical Composition: SiO2.nH2O

Occurrence: Lightning Ridge District (New South Wales), Coober Pedy (South Australia), Andamooka Station, Mintabie, Lambina (Australia), Czechoslovakia-Hungary, Mexico, northern Nevada & Idaho (U.S.)

Varieties of Opals:

Black Opal: Precious opal with dark gray, dark blue, dark green, and gray-black basic color and play-of-color. Deep black is the high end of the opal market. Black opals are rarer than white opals.

Crystal Opal: Transparent with strong color play of colorless, vitreous surface.

White Opal: A precious opal of white or otherwise light basic color with color play.

Boulder Opal: Precious opal with dark base surface, color play, and high density. Occurs as pebble rock, where opal fills hollows.

Common Opal: White base, opaque, rarely translucent opal without any color-of-play nor fire.

Harlequin Opal: Transparent to translucent precious opal with effective mosaic-like color patterns. Counted among the most desirable opals.

Fire Opal: Displays no fire. Transparent and clear orange-red, which is suitable for faceting. Huge deposit is in Mexico.

Misleading Trade Names:

Gilson Opal	synthetic opal
Slocum Opal	imitation
Japanese Opal	plastic imitation

Valuation:

Factors influencing prices:

Intensity & distribution of play-of-color.
Body color.
Number of color present and relative abundance.
Size, shaped and weight of cabs.
Amount of matrix vs. opal in the cab.
"Best" in black opal with individual, vivid, angular patches of color of varying hues, with patches large enough to be seen at arms length.

Colors in order of descending value for Australian opal:

Red
Violet/ Purple
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue

For Mexican opal: Red, violet, green, blue.

Retail Pricing Guide:

Black Opal: Finest quality about USD$15,000/ct in 5-6carat sizes. Smaller stones, USD$5,000-$10,000/ct. Commercial quality, about USD$250-$1,000/ct.
Crystal Opal: USD$65-$5,000/ct in 1-15 carat sizes.
White Opal: USD$5-$1,000/ct, depending on the color and sizes.
Boulder Opal: Small stones up to 5 carats, USD$2,000-$4,000/ct. 5 carats and up, USD$2,000-$5,000.
Doublet & Triplet: USD$15-$2,000/stone.
Fire Cherry Opal Facet: USD$90-$350/ct
Gilson Synthetic Opal: USD$100/ct.

Caring Guide:

Opals are soft stones, and any rough wear or direct hits will break it. If you are involved in rough activities, and sometimes, do not know where your hands will go, then an opal ring would not be suitable for you. A better choice would be an opal necklace. Placed opals in individual padded cloth for storing to avoid scratching against other jewelry.
For doublet and triplet opals, take them out if you are washing your hands. This is to avoid discoloration or dulling. The glue might react to the water.
Neither oiling or storing opal in water will prevent cracking or healing an existing crack. Sometimes rubbing some oil might prevent dehydration.
Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners and steamers, bleaches, all chemicals, and cleaners. It is safe to wash solid opal in plain warm water or soapy water (no detergent).
Avoid high heat, direct sunlight, bright and hot showcase lights,desert conditions, low humidity bank vaults, and extreme temperatures and humidity.

Metaphysical:

The intrinsic properties of the numerous forms of opal include the amplification of ones traits and characteristics, therefore, providing impetus to overcome the lesser attributes. It helps one to recognize and to feel the creativity which is within the self, providing inspiration and imagination to all situations.

It furthers clean, true, and spontaneous action, enhancing that which one is feeling and allowing for the release of inhibitions.

It can be used to strengthen the memory and to instill faithfulness and loyalty with respect to love, personal affiliation, and business relationships.

This mineral has been used to awaken both the psychic and the mystical qualities. It helps one to understand the higher powers of intuition and mysticism and to utilize these powers to enhance personal understanding and personal experiences in the realms of the sacred and avant garde aspects of being.

Australian Opals for Sale

Opal 1 Opal 2 Opal 3