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What are Opals?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Opals are stones with tiny crystalline spheres that seem to sparkle as they refract light. Precious opals are known for their “play of color.” While 95% of the world’s opals do not exhibit this play, many prize the precious varieties.

Opals exhibit an impressive color range. They can be milky white, pink, light green and blue, gray, or black. All precious opals are multi-colored, and the greater the variety of colors, the greater the value of the stone.

Precious opals display several colors.
Precious opals display several colors.

Quality of opals is evaluated through several different means. Since they are not clear gemstones, clarity matters less than with other stones. A major consideration is body tone, the main background color of the opal. Darker body tones fetch higher prices than light or white body tones.

The opal’s brilliance is classed as dull, subdued, bright or brilliant. The greater the degree to which the colors are brightly displayed, the better the quality. The pattern of colors in the opal is also assessed. The highest quality patterns are those in which the different colors are represented in equal proportions, called the harlequin. Any faults such as cracks, inconsistent coloring, or breaks in the pattern can reduce the value of an opal. A crack can render an the gem worthless, while pattern disruptions may merely reduce the price.

The Ancient Greeks said opals were a byproduct of the god Zeus.
The Ancient Greeks said opals were a byproduct of the god Zeus.

Prices for opals depend upon overall quality. Commercial stones may be less than 100 US dollars (USD). The highest valued gems, black with red, in the highest quality ratings can be extremely expensive. A single carat can cost as much as 8,000 USD.

Opals have been prized at least as far back as 6,000 years ago. Louis Leakey found artifacts in Kenya that dated back to 4000 B.C.E. Opals are valued by many cultures, and could be found in both the New World and the Old. Early deposits were likely mined in Egypt, but today’s opals are primarily obtained from Australia.

Today's opals are primarily obtained from Australia.
Today's opals are primarily obtained from Australia.

The Ancient Greeks developed a lovely theory about the development of opals. They were said to have fallen from heaven during flashes of lightening. Therefore, they were a byproduct of Zeus. Opals were linked with the ability to prophesy events, or at least to give the wearer a little foresight.

The Romans believed wearing these gems helped clarify emotional states and made wearers become more spontaneous. Like the Greeks, the Romans also credited the opal with providing clarity of thought and foresight. European nations during the Middle Ages watered this down somewhat, but felt that the gems had medicinal properties that would protect the eyes.

Negative connotations with opals began in the 18th century, when they were thought to be bad luck. However, Queen Victoria worked hard to defeat this “bad luck” theory when huge caches of opals were found in Australia. Today, some still feel that it is bad luck to purchase an opal for oneself, but good luck if someone else gives one to you.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Pippinwhite

I saw a black opal in a jewelry store several years ago. It was a good quality stone and it was beautiful. It was black, yes, but also had the classic opal iridescence that you want. It looked like the stone was on fire inside.

Apparently, these are not common stones, and I have not seen one in a store in several years, although I did find that some were available online.

I'm not much of a ring wearer, but I would love to have a black opal in a pendant, since I do wear necklaces. It's an unusual stone with a heck of a lot of "wow" factor.

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    • Precious opals display several colors.
      Precious opals display several colors.
    • The Ancient Greeks said opals were a byproduct of the god Zeus.
      By: zuchero
      The Ancient Greeks said opals were a byproduct of the god Zeus.
    • Today's opals are primarily obtained from Australia.
      By: lesniewski
      Today's opals are primarily obtained from Australia.