Opal

Information About Opal:

Widely regarded as the most beautiful of all gemstones, due to the intense and dramatic color play in good specimens.

Opal is produced when quartz is hydrated and formed into a hardened gel.

In ancient times, Opal was mined in small quantities in Czechoslovakia and the surrounding areas, but Australia is now the world's top producer. The Coober-Pedy mines are famous for producing some of the most colorful opal specimens.

A transparent red/orange variety is found in Mexico and is referred to as "fire opal" or "cherry opal".

Opal is the primary birthstone for the month of October. Tourmaline is the alternate birth stone for this month.

COMMON GEM COLORS: WHITE, BLUE, PINK, BLACK.

HARDNESS ON MOH'S SCALE: 5.5 to 6.5

SHAPES FOR CUTTING: Best suited to polished cabochons or inlay. Very brittle, so great care must be taken when cutting and setting. Often made into a triplet to stabilize and protect the stone, while maximizing refractive properties.