5/4/2023 0 Comments Dendrite opalIt ranges from lime to olive green, often with spotted patterns. Green Opal- A variety of common opal commonly found in Madagascar.Agate Opal- Opaque opal deposits that have banding resembling agates.Pink and blue are the most common colors in this region, but it varies widely. Peruvian Common Opal- A wide variety of colors exists within Peru.Dendritic Opal- Dendritic common opal is usually white, and black tree formations emerge on the surface.Silica and water tend to fill things in, and when the conditions are right… well, we get opal.įor the collector there are a few varieties to keep an eye out for: Opalized wood is fairly common, for instance. Some fossilized opal also comes into this category. ![]() It doesn’t compare to the fire of precious opal but it’s a pretty optical property. The most common opal has a characteristic glint on the surface when polished and shaped. The colors of all of these opals tend to be solid, with minor translucency in some cases. Common OpalĬommon opal ranges from white to pink to red to green. Many collectors go for both, and there’s a lot of variety within each group. What Types of Opal Are There?Īs noted above, there are two main varieties of opal. Opal is defined as amorphous, hydrated silica. The more fire, the more precious an opal usually is.īut despite the wide variety, the truth is that all opal is comprised of mostly the same stuff. ![]() Precious opal, on the other hand, displays a fiery interior. Some common opal has a bit of clarity and inclusions like dendrites but it’s most often pretty solid. The colors tend to be muted, and there’s also a lot of white opals out there. ![]() 6%-10% is most common.Ĭommon opal is solid-colored, usually within the same hue. The moisture percentage ranges from 3% to 21%, but most are on the lower side. Opal is deposited at low temperatures and pressures compared to crystalline forms of silica. Opal is actually amorphous, like glass, rather than a true crystal. Opals, as a mineral, are comprised of SiO₂(or silica) with a high percentage of water. We’re going to give you a crash course in collectin opals, running from what they are to how to pick them out in the field. For collectors, the problem is where to begin. Even common opal, with its light, milky colors is an awesome mineral. Contained within their crystals are worlds of fire, colored patterns, and wonder.
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