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Article Series: Jewelry
A Quick Education On Jewelry
The
Flashing Color of a Precious Opal
Precious opal is the only opal gemstone that
flashes color. The flashing color of the precious opal
has been seen as a phenomenon, but there is a reason why the
opal
flashes color. The precious opal’s structure consists of numerous
spheres of silica, hydrous silica, and water packed together
in a pattern to form layers. The refraction of light, back
and forth, between the opal’s layers causes the light to break
up into spectral colors. The unequal refraction of different
wavelengths of visible light will cause bright flashes of different
prismatic colors. The sizes of the spheres determine which
colors are visible from the precious opal. Particles that are
large enough to allow the longest wavelengths of visible light
through the gem will allow all of the colors of the spectrum
to be seen.
If the particles are small and shorter wavelengths of visible
light pass through, then the only the colors produced by the
shorter wavelengths will be able to be seen. The precious opal
exhibits flashes of rainbow-like colors when it is viewed from
different angles. The many opal colors have many different
tones. The opals may have a light or dark body color that may
be translucent or transparent. Opals that are seen in jewelry
have a milky-white base with varying flashes of color. The
most rare and expensive opals are black opals, which have a
body color that range from dark gray to black with fiery flashes
of color.
The precious fire
opal is often an alternative to the black
opal. Fire opals have base colors ranging from yellow to orange;
these colors can be transparent to translucent displaying fiery
flashes. The fire opal is most commonly known for its fiery
red color, and not the flashes it displays. This opal is usually
sold for its color and clarity, but it is not flash as many
colors at other opals. It is also less expensive than the black
opal.
The number of colors exhibited and the evenness of the pattern
judge the quality of the opal. The cheapest opals are the jelly
or water opals. Water opals are colorless, transparent or semi-transparent,
and have little or no play of color. The fire opal is inexpensive,
but it is more expensive than the water opal. The opal is often
cut into a dome shape and set in earrings, pendants, bracelets,
and pins. When set in pieces of jewelry, the opal may be joined
by rubies, sapphires, or emeralds that help enhance particular
flashes of color. The best opal pieces may be surrounded by
small diamonds and other beautifully colored gems. There are
also some opals that may be fashioned into beads, and widely
sold to women and young girls.
Precious opals are gemstones that are usually found in sandstone
or claystone. Opal deposits are spread over a wide area, but
there aren’t many that aware of their location. Mining is often
done on a small scale with hand-operated machinery and small
tools. It is possible to loosen an opal from its host rock.
The most important source of opal is Australia. However, the
fire opal is often found in Mexico, and is often known as the
Mexican Opal.
There are also many opals found in Africa, the United States,
Brazil, and areas of the former Soviet Union and Nicaragua.
Opals are also sensitive and can be harmed be many chemicals.
The gemstone should not be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners.
Cleaning an opal with oil will make the fire brighter, but
it is also prohibited because it can damage the opal. It is
best to periodically soak opals in water, so that they absorb
lost moisture. Precious opals display flashes of color like
no other gemstone. The gemstone is often used as a great addition
to, bracelets, necklaces, and rings.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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