A mineral composed of amorphous hydrous silica ( SiO2.H2O ).
A luminous and iridescent species of quartz, frequently with inclusions of many colors. Many opals have a high water content and they can dry out and crack if not properly cared for (they should be stored in damp cotton wool). Opals are found in many places worldwide, but Australia is said to have the most beautiful variety of colors. Opal was once believed to bring wealth and beauty and enable the wearer to become invisible. Opal is the birthstone of October.
(o'-pal) A transparent to nearly opaque mineral or mineraloid (SiO2. H2O) consisting of packed spheres of silica and interstitial (i.e.: filling the spaces between the spheres) water (typically 3 to 9%). Opal may have a marked play of colors in the case of precious opal, or opalescence (more of a diffuse glow) in the case of common opal.
Gemstone of hydrated amorphous silica with the chemical formula SiO2.nH2O
a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones
a gemstone that is found all over Australia, most notably at overpriced jewelry stores in The Rocks district
a precious gemstone, and one of the most beautiful at that
a precious stone -- I'm a precious kitty, so I guess that's how I got my name
a silica polymer so large that it is solid
a stone you will treasure forever
Opal is primarily composed of silicon and water, and unlike many other gemstone materials, is not considered a true mineral because it lacks crystalline structure. The water content of opal contributes to it's wonderful play of light. Several large concentrations of opal are found in Australia. Opal is often found filling cracks and crevices in other stones, or the interior of geodes.
is a precipitated non-crystalline variety of silica, precious varieties of which characteristically display a marked variety of changing colours and are used as gemstones, especially when cut and polished.
Iridescent silica found in many varieties and colors, typically milky white.
An unstable form of silica, Si02.nH20. The largest source is the siliceous tests of silica-secreting organisms such as the frustules of diatoms.
Hydrous silicon oxide. Most often colorless or milky white with splendid irridescence. (5.5 - 6.5)
A semi-precious gemstone that is luminous and iridescent and is typically whitish in color. Opals have many colorful inclusions that give the stones their fire. Opals measure 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and are recognized as the birthstone for October.
Opals, known for their iridescent, luminous qualities, are adored by many. Opals contain a large amount of water and need to be cared for properly since experts warn of potential cracking. This semi precious stone contains a wide-ranging mixture of colors that produce a fire-like quality, which are actually inclusions which can refract hues in a rainbow of colors.
a milky form of silica that can refract light into colors.
A semiprecious gemstone valued for its flecks of color. Opal is the birthstone of October.
All hydrates of silica, SiO2.nH2O, including synthetic, natural precious and common opal but not imitation material; alternative term is opaline silica. Opal miners generally restrict use of the term opal to precious opal, calling material that does not show a good play of colors, potch.
Helps lung conditions, increases assimilation of protein. Assists the control of one's temper and calms the nerves. Aids the development of one's psychic ability. Sometimes considered an unlucky stone, perhaps because it causes one's thoughts - good or bad - to rebound upon oneself! Above all, it is a stone of love, but if the lover be false its influence is reversed, and the opal proves a sorry stone for faithless lovers.
Opals are semi-precious stones that are luminous and iridescent, frequently with inclusions of many colors ("fire"). Many opals have a high water content - they can dry out and crack if they are not cared for well (opals should be stored in damp cotton wool). Opals have a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5. Opals are found in many places worldwide, including Kenya, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, Canada, and the USA -- but Australia has a tremendous variety of beautiful opals.
Rich in folklore, opal was once called the Cupid stone because its milky colour echoed the complexion of the Greek god of love. It was believed opals lost their power once the owner died. Also considered unlucky because, in Victorian times, they were once rare and commanded high prices among the nobility. However, an abundance of opal was discovered in Australia and the market then flooded, thus rendering the nobility's prized possessions as near-worthless. See opal pieces here
Opal comes from the Latin word opalus which means to see a change in colour. Chemically, opal is hydrated silica, similar to quartz.
Opals are semi-precious stones that are luminous and iridescent, frequently with inclusions of many colors ("fire"). Opal is a mineral composed of noncrystalline (amorphous) silica (and some water) and is a species of quartz. There are three major types of opals: common opal, opalescent precious opal (white or black, with a rainbow-like iridescence caused by tiny crystals of cristobalite), and fire opal (a milky stone that is fiery orange to red in color with no opalescence). Contra Luz opals are transparent opals that show a brilliant play of iridescence only when light shines through the stone. Many opals have a high water content - they can dry out and crack if they are not cared for well (opals should be stored in damp cotton wool). Opals are found in many places worldwide, including Kenya, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, Canada, and the USA -- but Australia has a tremendous variety of beautiful opals.
The opal is projective and receptive. The opal contains colours as well as the qualities of every other stone. The ancients used it to promote astral projection. They can be used to recall past incarnations. Opals are worn to bring out ones inner beauty. Fire opals are used in drawing money. Black opals are prized by magicians and Wiccas to increase the power aroused and released from the body during magical rites.
(14th century, from the Latin word opalus meaning "stone" or "jewel") A quartz mineral valued for its iridescence and showing variations in colour from white to black and in transparency from transparent to opaque. Numerous types are known, but usually only the transparent or translucent varieties are used as gems. Opals contain between 1% and 21% water.
An amorphous mineral. In great demand as a gemstone because of its unique display of multiple colors.
SiO2nH2O Opal forms in cracks or cavities in "near surface" volcanic rocks, in deposits from hot springs, and in sediments. It has no crystalline structure (no regular arrangement of atoms), and is therefore considered amorphous or uncrystallized. Instead, chains of silicon and oxygen are packed into tiny sheres. Diffraction of light by these spheres produces "opalescence", the multi-colored flashes of light that give the stone its beauty. It is this play of color that determines an opal's value. To prevent cracks, opal should be treated periodically with castor oil. The source is Australia.
Opal is a unique gemstone with a beautiful play-of-color display. It exhibits all colors and both light and dark base colors reflect a rainbow-like display of multiple colors when viewed from different angles. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, opal is 5.5-6.5. Primary sources include Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Nevada and Idaho. (See Opal Facts.) (Note: Sources listed in order of primary and secondary deposits.)
A gemstone that is a variety of quartz which may appear with a rainbow luster (precious opal) or reddish-orange in color (fire opal).
Considered a precious stone. It is a hydrated amorphous silica, of various colors, capable of refracting light and then reflecting it in a play of colors. It has a hardness of 5-6.5 on the Mohs' scale.
The extensive deserts on the continet of Australia are responsible for 95% of the world's opal gem material available today.
a mineral, an amorphous form of hydrous silica, somewhat like quartz, found in many varieties and colors, certain of which reflect light with an iridescent play of color. Black opals show brilliant colored lights against a dark background; some are so dark as to seem almost black. Milk opals are mily white with rather pale lights. Fire opals are similar with more red and sometimes yellow flashes of color. [AHDOS
An amorphous non-crystalline variety of silica which is softer and less dense than quartz. Opals are known for their distinctive iridescent luminous qualities which are actually inclusions that can refract light in a rainbow of colors, called " fire", that change with the angle of observation ( Dichroism). Opals contain a large amount of water and susceptible to cracking. Opal is the birthstone for October.
A non-crystalline, iridescent gemstone
non-crystalline, iridescent silica.
The mineraloid opal is amorphous SiO2·nH2O; hydrated silicon dioxide, the water content sometimes being as high as 20% but is usually between three and ten percent. Opal ranges from colorless through white, milky blue, gray, red, yellow, green, brown and black. Common opal is truly amorphous, but precious opal does have a structural element.
Opal is a variety of gasoline (petrol) developed in 2005 by BP Australia to combat the rising use of gasoline as an inhalant in remote indigenous Australian communities.