Now, you probably already know that the opal necklace is the established birthstone for October (and I'll bet you think you're pretty darn clever) but did you also know that it's the authorized gemstone of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia? Did ya?
I mean, considering Australia produces almost 97% of the world's opals and is home to the Olympic Australis Opal (the largest and most valuable uncut gem opal ever to be found), it makes sense! It's even the name of their national women's basketball team. (I have to wonder about the mascot costume, though...)
Now while the white opal is in fact a pretty widespread type and can be found all over the world, the jewel ranges in color from clear to, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, shore, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black (reds against black are the most uncommon).
Basically, the opal is a mineraloid gel which is deposited at moderately low temperature and may take place in the fissures of just about any kind of rock (thus its apparent abundance). And while most precious opals are wood replacements, opals can also form and replace fossils which, of course, are fairly all the rage with collectors.
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