Opal

Iridescent opal

The opal takes its name from the Latin “opalus” originally used by Pliny the Elder (23-29 AD) and synonymous with precious stone for the Romans, but the origin of the word comes from the Sanskrit “upala”. .
The success of opal has been affirmed from Antiquity to the present day, the most famous historical opal is the “Trojan fire” fire opal offered by Napoleon 1st (1769-1821) to the Empress Josephine (1763-1814).
The particularity of opal is its iridescence, that is to say iridescent reflections reminiscent of the rainbow, which change according to the angle of vision.
An opal is a mineral composed of hydrous silicon dioxide or silica gel.
Opal always contains a little water from 3% to 13%, but can reach 34% depending on the variety.
Over time, the opal dehydrates, cracks then appear and reduce the iridescence, these cracks normally disappear once the opal is bathed in water.
We can delay aging and intensify its play of color by keeping the opal in damp cotton wool.

Fine stone opal

The fine stone opal deposits mainly come from Australia, Ethiopia for its Welo opal, but also Brazil, Peru, Mexico for fire opal, and Tanzania.
There is a wide variety of opal, including Welo and Mezezo opal from Ethiopia, fire opal from Mexico, fire opal from Buriti, Brazil where there are also green fire opals, fire opal fire blue from Peru, the Andamooka opal from Australia.
There are no two identical opals, each fine stone opal is unique with its own fire.
The most prized precious opals are white opal, fire opal, black opal, water opal and boulder opal.
All the splendor of nature seems captured in the fine stone opal, mounted as a jewel on a black background, ebony wood for example, this gem will deliver all its color games.