Interesting Facts About Opals
Opals are one of the world's most sought-after gemstones. Their shimmering beauty is unique, making them perfect additions to jewellery collections. The incredible, kaleidoscopic play-of-colour they display makes them a favourite with geologists, jewellers, and astute collectors.
How much do you know about this incredible gemstone? Read on to learn some interesting facts about opals.
- There are two varieties of opal common and precious. The difference lies in the optical effect they produce.
- There is more than one opal colour: the "colour" of a precious opal refers to the background colour of the stone (typically white, green, or translucent), with common opals often seen in hues of purple, pink, blue, and green. Common opals are frequently mistaken for varieties of quartz due to their modest appearance.
- Opals are minerals, not crystals: a hydrated amorphous form of silica opals are considered a mineraloid, similarly to obsidian, amber and pearl.
- The opal is Australia's national gemstone: our nation mines over 95% of the world's precious opals for use in jewellery, and Indigenous Australian myths frequently link the creation of opals with rainbows, referring to them as the rainbow stone.
- Black is the rarest opal colour: black opal gemstones have only been discovered in Australia, around Lightning Ridge.
- Opal is the birthstone of October: believed to bring good luck, health, and fortune to its wearer.
Opal Brightness
As with many precious gemstones, you grade opals on a scale. The Brightness Scale is graded, categorising opals based on how intense the reflection of colour is when you penetrate the stone with light. The grades are Dull/Subdued, Bright, and Brilliant.
Brilliant grade opals are the brightest and contain eye-catching flashes of colour, also make it the most expensive and desirable gems. Dull/Subdued opals are the least valuable and appear milky with little shine. Bright opals are average in terms of brightness and often an affordable choice.
Our Top Opal Picks
Opal and Diamond Necklet A divine creation of earthly delight, this spellbinding opal shows incredible rainbow colours. Gently nestled in free-form yellow gold, this unique opal pendant reflects the wild Australian landscape of its origin.
Boulder Opal Earrings These divine opal earrings were designed and made by Linneys in Subiaco. Handcrafted, these opal and diamond earrings feature freeform triangular boulder opals claw set in a striking organic design. The earrings also feature round brilliant cut diamonds claw set at the top of earrings with French hook findings and a polished finish.
Unique Cabachon Opal Ring Stunning and unique, this opal ring is a striking piece of fine jewellery. Handcrafted in 18ct white gold, the 3.19ct opal is surrounded by a white diamond and alexandrite halos. A statement piece for a confident wearer, the beauty of this ring is truly something to behold.
Why Choose Linneys for your Opal Jewellery in Perth?
Our award-winning jewellers' experience, skill, and expertise are evidence of the outstanding quality of Linneys jewellery. Combining traditional techniques with advanced modern technology, Linneys of Perth has created fine jewellery from precious materials for over 45 years.
We are passionate about creating incredible opal jewellery pieces that you can add to your collection and hand down to the next generation.
Choose Linneys today for incredible opal jewellery in Perth.