Opal

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Inspiration & Mystery!
Opal

About Opal

What colour is Opal?

Opal comes in various colours including colourless, white, yellow, red, orange, green, brown, black and blue.

Where does the name Opal derive from?

The name Opal derives from the Sanskrit word “Upala” meaning “jewel”.

What is the symbolism of Opal?

Opal symbolises vitality.

What gemstone family does Opal belong to?

Opal belongs to the Silica gemstone family.

Is Opal a birthstone?

Yes, Opal is a birthstone and it represents October.

What is the hardness of Opal?

Opal is 5.0-6.0 on Moh’s Scale and therefore considered to be a soft gemstone.

Are there any interesting facts regarding Opal?

The Olympic Australis Opal, the largest and most valuable opal yet found (in 1956) and named in honor of the Olympic Games, weighs 17,000 carats (3.45kgs).

Where is Opal geographically located?

The finest Opals come from Australia, Mexico and Ethiopia.

What is the cleaning procedure for Opal?

Clean Opal using warm soapy water with soft cloth. Opal must not be cleaned ultrasonically or by steam cleaning.

What are the value factors of Opal?

The value factors of Opal are its rarity, intensity of colour, brilliance and the "life" of the stone, as well as size.