Opal Rings - a short History of the Rainbow Stone

 Collectors of gem jewellery worth the wonder found in precious mineral rings. Few gemstones rival the mineral in terms of its varied colours and its ability to require on a mess of hues, apparently dynamic from moment to moment. Black opal ring are unit actually a rainbow stone.

 

The majority of opals return from Australia and were shaped as our planet Earth was in its infancy, several years past. As continents shifted and waters flooded landmasses, these waters contained silicon oxide that worked its method into crevices of rock. Over the course of your time, the silicon oxide became gel-like and opals shaped from this gel coating oozing into the rock base. The variable colours that build fire opal necklace therefore special area unit a results of however silicon oxide spheres area unit organized among the rocks.

 

Opals may be dark or light-weight and will be clear or semitransparent. the foremost valued opals area unit the black opals, that area unit rare and quite dear. These pricey stones will vary from gray to black. a lot of normally the opals we discover in rings and different jewellery have a whitish look with rainbow-colored hues among the stone. In between these 2 area unit fireplace opals. fireplace opals area unit a lot of yellow to orange in their base color with intense rainbow hues.

 

When it involves selecting mineral rings, the wise shopper can take the time to try and do some analysis on-line and learn a lot of regarding the numerous selections that area unit out there. Your preferences and pocketbook can lead you to the rainbow silver opal ring of your dreams.

A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 5 Types of Opal

 During the Cretaceous period (65–140 million years ago), the deserts were an inland sea teeming with life. The sea gradually receded and laid the foundations of the silica that would form today's opal. During the mid-Tertiary period, changes in Earth's climate caused quantities of soluble silica to be released from the sediment, which found its way down through cracks and faults and eventually hardened over time. This hardening continued to form the common and expensive opal.

 

The vibrant array of colors in opal comes from the uniform arrangement of silica particles. The size of the particles determines the color as light refracts through them.

 

Unlike many other fire opal rings, opal does not occur in long veins or concentrations. Instead, small clusters can be spread over a large area and split into gems or gems and common. Opal comes in many varieties, but expensive opal represents only a small percentage of the total mined.

 

Black Opal:

 

Black opal is the rarest and most valuable of all fire opal necklace and generally occurs as a rod of various colors in a dark body.Black opals from Lightning Ridge, Mintabie and Andamooka in Australia make up 99.9% of all opals in the world.

 

Boulder Opal:

 

Boulder opal, found in the fields of Queensland, is classified as a solid opal and occurs as thin veins of precious opal in the cracks and cavities of ironstone. During processing, the stone is cut, leaving the natural host rock as the base. Black opal engagement ring soccurs either as a solid piece of color on top of the ironstone, or it appears as flashing flecks of color throughout the stone.

 

Light opal (white or milky):

 

A full range of colors can be found, with a background color of either white or light blue.

 

Crystal Opal:

 

 Colors come to life when looking at a dark surface.

 

Picture of Opal:

 

Image opals are so called because their pattern forms an image of an object or person. A good imagination is sometimes required to visualize an object/person.

 

Fire Opal:

 

The term "fire opal" is commonly used to describe the clear orange crystal opal that originates in Mexico, some of which have play of color, although many have only an orange or reddish base with no play of color.

 

Opalized Fossils:

 

In the layers where opal mining takes place, the remains of the world more than a hundred million years old are buried, brought to the surface by miners looking for gems. Some of these fossils were opalized, a process in which silica-rich waters gradually replaced the organic material.

 

Common Opal:

 

Common opal is classified as a non-precious opal, mostly opaque and showing no play of color.

 

Matrix Opal:

 

Matrix opal is when the opal is infused into the rock in which it was formed. Veins of precious opal penetrate the sandstone or ironstone filling the holes and fissures of the host rock.

 

Synthetic Opal:

 

Synthetic opal, as the name suggests, is made in a laboratory and has a similar structure to expensive opal.

 

The following can be made to differentiate between natural opal:

 

A. Synthetic stones show brighter colors and larger color spots;

 

b. In synthetic opal, the color grain boundaries are highly irregular;

 

C. Synthetic opal has a distinctive snakeskin pattern;

 

d. The material exhibits a more ordered range of colors because the complex patterns of natural opal cannot be duplicated.

 

Raw Opal Packages:

 

Raw opal packs are sorted into three grades: Top, Middle and Low.

 

Each top deck has a king stone (the best stone in the deck). Color is the primary criterion for classification.

 

You can buy raw opal in several different conditions:

 

A. Mine Run - Straight from the miner himself. 

 

b. Off Cuts - The miner removed all the tradable opal and you sold what was left. With off cuts, you can usually tell what you will be able to cut.

 

C. Rubbing - After removing most of the waste, the opal stones were cut and ground into basic shapes.

 

Andomooke Matrix:

 

A more porous opal found in mining fields. It is quite pale from the ground, but when treated with carbon dye it looks like a true black opal.

 

Yowah Nut:

 

This rare and unusual opal, up to 5 cm in diameter, looks like a round or oval nut and is an iron stone.

 

Opal forms in the nut either as a solid core or, more commonly, in concentric layers infused with the host rock. The nut must be split in half before the contents are revealed and can be split to create mirror images.

 

Opal Doublets:

 

Opal doublets, as the name suggests, is a thin layer of precious opal glued to a backing, usually a piece of black common opal or ironstone. Made because opal is too thin to make a solid stone, doublets are a cheap and inexpensive way to buy a colored piece of expensive opal without the cost of a solid.

White opals from Coober Pedy Australia

Black Opal Rings were first found in 1915 in Coober Pedy, a hot and dry area in the middle of the vastness of Australia.

Opals from Coober Pedy are mostly called white opals, but that doesn't mean they are all white. The white color is simply the base color of the stone, and countless wonderful bright colors will radiate through it from this base. Red, blue, green, yellow and all possible combinations of themes.

 

It differs from opal earrings from the Lightning ridge region of NSW Australia, which are called black opal. It just has a fire opal necklace base rather than a white base. The miners of Lightning Ridge like to tell you that their opal is the best opal in the world, and the miners of Coober Pedy like to tell you that their opal is the best in the world. So who is right? Both are because their opal is the best in the world and it doesn't matter what region it comes from. But opal looks different from each region.

 

An opal enthusiast, dealer or miner will instantly tell you whether it is a Coober Pedy white opal or a Lightning Ridge black opal and will be able to identify you from a photo without holding the stone. Sometimes opals from these two regions have so much in common that even an expert wouldn't be able to tell you where they came from without a thorough examination.

 

What is the difference between white opal and black opal? To understand this easily, imagine that you have a piece of red glass that you can see through. Lay it flat on a piece of white paper, then lay it flat on a sheet of black paper. The color would look different, wouldn't it? Some people would think that red on black looked much better than red on white, and others would disagree. This is the same as opal preference.

 

Sometimes you'll find white-based opals from Lightning Ridge, and sometimes you'll find opals that look similar to black opals in Coober Pedy. Is one generally better than the other? Definitely not. It will depend on the quality of the stone itself and it will not matter what area it comes from.

Types of Opals - Which is Perfect For What Type of Opal Jewelry?

 Fire Opal Necklace are striking gemstones which flash with all the colors of the rainbow. They are made from tiny spheres of hydrated silica; silica being the sand constituent that makes up sand! As they form, tiny droplets of water become trapped within the lattice work of spheres in an irregular pattern. The water diffracts light passing into the gemstone, resulting in the magical play of color, known as opalescence, for which this gemstone is famous!

However, not all opals are the same! There are four broad categories of opal, white, black, boulder and crystal, which differ in their translucency and color of the host rock. They also exhibit different levels of opalescence. And although fashion dictates the changing popularity of individual opal types, certain types of opals lend themselves better to some rather than other forms of opal jewelry. So which form suits what jewelry best?

White opals are the most abundant of these gemstones. They have a milky white appearance which can range from near opaque to translucent. The more milk like the backdrop of the host rock, the harder it is to see the flashes of fiery opalescence within. Their beauty is most readily seen in strong direct light. Their pale appearance and relative affordability means that they are often set, as cabochons, into silver metal for everyday pieces of jewelry.

Black opals are the rarest, most coveted and most expensive form of the gemstone. Some of the best in the world come from Lightning Ridge in Australia. The dark host rock is usually black, blue, brown or gray and provides the perfect backdrop against which to see the glorious color display of these gemstones. They have the look of an angry storm cloud behind a rainbow.

The drama of black opals is best appreciated in full view. They are typically set as cabochons. And they are dramatic enough to hold their own even alongside diamonds in a signature piece of fine jewelry, such as a wonderful anniversary pendant or an engagement ring.

Boulder opals are always cut with some of the host rock still attached. They are typically set into jewelry as thin segments or as baroque stone shapes. They are unusual and extremely attractive pieces which will draw comments and admiring glances! They cannot easily be set into rings but make superb pendant necklaces.

Crystal opal types, such as fire opals are transparent and typically have a good clarity which allows a strong diffracted color to be seen. These are the only category of the gemstone which is generally faceted before being set into jewelry. Fire opals have little opalescence but are instead valued for their color. They make wonderful rings, earrings and pendants.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/necklaces/fire-opal-necklaces/

On Trend Necklaces for Spring

 If you are looking for the trendy Fire Opal Necklace for the spring, a good place to start your search is with the different jewelry collections. You will discover what's new with the individual designers and you will discover some common themes - aka trends.

Gems en Vogue II

It's no surprise that gems are at the heart of this collection - beautiful pastels blended into one gorgeous dragonfly necklace and bright colors standing on their own. The multi-gemstone Dragonfly & Cultured Spice Fire Opal Necklace is a mixture of gems and cultured pearls strung on a pearlescent lilac strand. The wings of the dragonfly pendant combine apatite stones, dark pink sapphires, rubies, iolites, tanzanites, amethysts and pink quartz. All gemstones are in claw and bead settings. The pendant is just under 2 inches long and just over 2 inches wide. The chain is strung with dyed multi-colored freshwater cultured pearls and measures 23 inches long. It secures with a lobster clasp.

For a bit of bright orange, check out the carnelian, garnet and orange sapphire necklace, hanging from a 20-inch sterling silver and 18K vermeil chain. At the center of the necklace is the pendant - a semi-round carved orange carnelian, a garnet and an orange sapphire, all in claw settings. This pendant hangs from a strand of round cut carnelian beads.

Gem Treasures

You will recognize this collection for its multi-strand necklaces made with hand-selected exotic gems. Start with your choice of a 24-inch rose or smoky quartz necklace, both set on sterling silver. It features various round faceted and oval fancy cut stones in your choice of rose quartz or smoky quartz. The rose is a soft baby pink color and the smoky quartz is a deep, rich brown. The three strands of quartz secure with a lobster claw clasp.

Want to reflect the colors of the sun? Try the Shades of Fire Opal necklace, strung on an 18-inch sterling silver chain.

The 165 round beads are arranged by the depth of their color. The total fire opal weight is approximately 52.64ct. It secures with a magnetic clasp.

Belita Brilliante

Love the look of platinum? You will love this collection's platinum-embraced 16 inch or 18 inch bezel set tennis necklace. It is one luscious row of sparkles that come from the simulated diamonds set in platinum-embraced sterling silver. The bezel setting offers a more contemporary look to this classic style. The necklace fastens with a box clasp with a safety catch.

For a simpler look, check out the platinum-embraced 24-inch station necklace. Again, made with platinum-embraced sterling silver, the necklace is a cable chain with six stations. At each station is a solitary round simulated diamond in a bezel setting. It fastens with a spring ring clasp.

Sweet Romance

This collection knows all about soft romantic looks that harken back to the 1930 and 1940s. Start with a Victorian-inspired Paris shadow box necklace that contains a nod to the famous Eiffel Tower. It measures 21 inches long plus a 4-inch drop. Even if you have never been to Paris, you will love the feelings of romance stirred up by this necklace. The textured gold tone chain features a pendant with an image of the Eiffel Tower and the word "Souvenir de Paris" in the background. On the front of the shadow box are flower sprigs with crystals and glass pearls. Atop the pendant is a small fleur-de-lis. It is rich with detail. Altogether, the necklace contains 60 different crystals in a bezel setting.

Another romantic necklace from Sweet Romance is the 22-inch Tudor-inspired intaglio necklace with a "reverse" cameo etched in one of several charms hanging from the necklace. You have a choice of a blue or smoky cameo. The other charms include a key and glass charms. They hang from a gloved hand charm that attaches to the 22-inch gold-tone necklace. This interesting necklace - a blend of Tudor and the Renaissance - will be a real conversation starter.

Far East Market

If you think of pearls when you hear the words "Far East," you are right on target. One of the best sellers in this collection is the pink freshwater cultured pearl necklace. The 18-inch strand includes 39 round 11mm to 12mm pink freshwater cultured pearls. It is secured by a fish hook clasp with a catch guard.

If you prefer something other than pearls, consider a 24-inch hematite and carved onyx "Year of the Dragon" necklace in honor of 2012. The dragon, a symbol of power, strength, protection and wisdom in Chinese culture, is painted in gold-toned enamel on each one of the 10 round black onyx beads. Interspersed between the onyx beads are 33 dark gray hematite beads. The beads are individually knotted. A magnetic clasp, made of sterling silver and plated with 18K yellow gold, secures the beads. This beautiful piece comes with its own jewelry pouch.

Shop Now: https://australianopaldirect.com/necklaces/fire-opal-necklaces/

How to Choose an Opal

 One of the most unique gems in the world, opals, unlike other gems, can reflect colors of the rainbow by refraction due to the silica inside the stone. In addition, these gems are commonly found as, well, opaque thus giving them the ability to be a canvas for the play of colors. With these features, Fire Opal Necklace is like tiny capsules of the night sky with play of color acting as glittering stars.

For those looking to acquire some of these enchanting stones, opals can be a very personal experience as every opal is different and unique to the buyer. High value opals might be meaningless to you if you do not like the colors at play on the stone.

Here some general information and tips when you're out on your adventure to finding the perfect opal for you.

Black opals are the most expensive type of opal gems because the dark body tone which helps enhance the play of colors. Rare and precious, a high quality black opal with excellent plays of color can be worth more than all but the finest diamonds.

Crystal opals are the second most expensive and does have some transparency that makes them unique. The most common and least expensive are white opals; their creamy body tone does at time distract the shine of the colors.

Sometimes considered a class of their own, fire opals have some transparency but do not have any play of colors. Found in hues of orange to orange-red colors, fire opal stones are commonly cut into traditional gem cut facets.

The last, but definitely not least, are boulder opals. Boulder opals are basically dark ironstone with thin layer of opal on the surface. The opal veins on the ironstone can make interesting designs with amazing play of colors.

Doublets and triplets are man-made that consist of a thin opal that is glued on a dark ironstone or sandstone. Generally, very cheap, doublet and triplet are used for jewelry as the back can be hidden. Only difference between the two is that triplets have an extra layer of plastic or glass of protection.

Opals from Welo, Ethiopia - newly discovered deposits - are generally cheaper than those from Australia. Although slightly cheaper, black opals from Ethiopia are just as stunning as those from Australia.

For those looking value when choosing the color of play, the order goes as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Red being the most expensive, while violet being the least expensive.

Opals with a single bright flash of color is more valued than those with many dull flashes of color, while those that have the whole surface covered with good play of colors are highly sought after and expensive.

To properly view an opal, you must rotate the stone in your fingers to see all the angles that a flash of color can display. The price is determined by all the angles and not just the best angle. Although, the best angle will contribute greatly to the pricing. If you can't view the opal in person, try to find a vendor that has video for viewing.

In addition to plays of color, opal gems can have patterns that will add a lot of value and beauty to the gem. Most patterns have some sort of alternating play of colors on the surface. The most rare and expensive pattern is the harlequin pattern; a pattern of alternating flashes of color that resembles a checkerboard.

As for jewelry, opal gems are suited for pendants and necklaces, due to their soft nature, are easily damaged by an accidental bump into a hard surface. However, do not let this issue hinder your love for rings, bracelets and other jewelries with opals set in them.

Shop Now: https://australianopaldirect.com/necklaces/fire-opal-necklaces/

FIRE OPAL NECKLACE

Gems at the heart of every collection.  The multi-gemstone Dragonfly and cultured Spice pearl necklace Are a mixture of gems and cultured pearls strung on a pearlescent lilac strand.The wings of the dragonfly pendant combine apatite stones dark pink sapphires, rubies, olives, tanzanites, amethysts, and pink quartz. The pendant is just under 2 inches long and 2 inch wide. The chain strung dyed multi-colored freshwater cultured pearls and was 23 inches long. For a bright orange necklace checkout the carnelian, garnet, and orange sapphire necklace. At the center of the fire opal necklace is the pendant, a semi-round carved orange carnelian, a garnet and an orange sapphire, all in claw settings.

Gem treasures is recognized for its multi-strands necklace made with hand selected exotic gems. It depends on your choice of a 24-inch rows or smoky quartz necklace. Both set on sterling silver. It features various round faceted and oval fancy cut stones in your choice. The rose is a soft baby pink color and the smoky quartz in a deep rich brown. Try the shades of fire opal necklace strung on an 18-inch sterling silver chain. It reflects the color of the Sun. Australian fire opal necklace and pendants based in outback Australia.

On Trend Necklaces for Spring

If you are looking for the Fire Opal Necklace for the spring, a good place to start your search is with the different jewelry collections. You will discover what's new with the individual designers and you will discover some common themes - aka trends.

Gems en Vogue II

It's no surprise that gems are at the heart of this collection - beautiful pastels blended into one gorgeous dragonfly necklace and bright colors standing on their own. The multi-gemstone Dragonfly & Cultured Spice Pearl necklace is a mixture of gems and cultured pearls strung on a pearlescent lilac strand. The wings of the dragonfly pendant combine apatite stones, dark pink sapphires, rubies, iolites, tanzanites, amethysts and pink quartz. All gemstones are in claw and bead settings. The pendant is just under 2 inches long and just over 2 inches wide. The chain is strung with dyed multi-colored freshwater cultured pearls and measures 23 inches long. It secures with a lobster clasp.

For a bit of bright orange, check out the carnelian, garnet and orange sapphire necklace, hanging from a 20-inch sterling silver and 18K vermeil chain. At the center of the necklace is the pendant - a semi-round carved orange carnelian, a garnet and an orange sapphire, all in claw settings. This pendant hangs from a strand of round cut carnelian beads.

Gem Treasures

You will recognize this collection for its multi-strand necklaces made with hand-selected exotic gems. Start with your choice of a 24-inch rose or smoky quartz necklace, both set on sterling silver. It features various round faceted and oval fancy cut stones in your choice of rose quartz or smoky quartz. The rose is a soft baby pink color and the smoky quartz is a deep, rich brown. The three strands of quartz secure with a lobster claw clasp.

Want to reflect the colors of the sun? Try the Shades of Fire Opal necklace, strung on an 18-inch sterling silver chain.

The 165 round beads are arranged by the depth of their color. The total fire opal weight is approximately 52.64ct. It secures with a magnetic clasp.

Belita Brilliante

Love the look of platinum? You will love this collection's platinum-embraced 16 inch or 18 inch bezel set tennis necklace. It is one luscious row of sparkles that come from the simulated diamonds set in platinum-embraced sterling silver. The bezel setting offers a more contemporary look to this classic style. The necklace fastens with a box clasp with a safety catch.

For a simpler look, check out the platinum-embraced 24-inch station necklace. Again, made with platinum-embraced sterling silver, the necklace is a cable chain with six stations. At each station is a solitary round simulated diamond in a bezel setting. It fastens with a spring ring clasp.

Sweet Romance

This collection knows all about soft romantic looks that harken back to the 1930 and 1940s. Start with a Victorian-inspired Paris shadow box necklace that contains a nod to the famous Eiffel Tower. It measures 21 inches long plus a 4-inch drop. Even if you have never been to Paris, you will love the feelings of romance stirred up by this necklace. The textured gold tone chain features a pendant with an image of the Eiffel Tower and the word "Souvenir de Paris" in the background. On the front of the shadow box are flower sprigs with crystals and glass pearls. Atop the pendant is a small fleur-de-lis. It is rich with detail. Altogether, the necklace contains 60 different crystals in a bezel setting.

Another romantic necklace from Sweet Romance is the 22-inch Tudor-inspired intaglio necklace with a "reverse" cameo etched in one of several charms hanging from the necklace. You have a choice of a blue or smoky cameo. The other charms include a key and glass charms. They hang from a gloved hand charm that attaches to the 22-inch gold-tone necklace. This interesting necklace - a blend of Tudor and the Renaissance - will be a real conversation starter.

Far East Market

If you think of pearls when you hear the words "Far East," you are right on target. One of the best sellers in this collection is the pink freshwater cultured pearl necklace. The 18-inch strand includes 39 round 11mm to 12mm pink freshwater cultured pearls. It is secured by a fish hook clasp with a catch guard.

If you prefer something other than pearls, consider a 24-inch hematite and carved onyx "Year of the Dragon" necklace in honor of 2012. The dragon, a symbol of power, strength, protection and wisdom in Chinese culture, is painted in gold-toned enamel on each one of the 10 round black onyx beads. Interspersed between the onyx beads are 33 dark gray hematite beads. The beads are individually knotted. A magnetic clasp, made of sterling silver and plated with 18K yellow gold, secures the beads. This beautiful piece comes with its own jewelry pouch.

A brief review of this season's collections will certainly keep your necklaces on trend.

Please stay with us:

Australian Opal Direct

Address: 5401 Newcastle

Encino CA 91316

Contact Details:

Ph No: 8055749888

Email Id: info@australianopaldirect.com

Website: https://australianopaldirect.com