Can fire opals be blue?
Although it is commonly misclassified as a “mineral,” fire opal is actually not a mineral because it does not have its own crystalline structure. Furthermore, both scenarios can exist within the same stone, which is what geologists sometimes refer to as a “Blue-Fire Opal.” Updated May 6, 2021.
How much is Australian blue opal worth?
Australian Opal Value Per Carat This means that opal costs can vary from about $10 per carat to approximately $6,000 per carat.
What is blue Australian opal?
Blue Opal is a common term that refers to the dominant opal color, not the body color (i.e. black, semi-black, white), as is thought by some. Universally blue is the most popular color globally and comes in all hues, tones and saturations.
Are blue Opals valuable?
Red is the rarest and most sought out color. In order of value, the most valuable color is red, then orange, green, blue and purple. Also electric blue Opals are more valuable as the hidden color bar makes the Opal brighter than the normal blue. Density and intensity of color is also important to determine the price.
Is blue opal from Australia?
Peruvian opal (also called blue opal) is a semi-opaque to opaque blue-green stone found in Peru, which is often cut to include the matrix in the more opaque stones. It does not display a play of color. Blue opal also comes from Oregon and Idaho in the Owyhee region, as well as from Nevada around the Virgin Valley.
How can you tell if an Australian opal is real?
Most genuine solid opals have an irregularity in this area – curved or bumpy due to their natural formation – whereas a man-made stone will be perfectly flat because the two sections are flattened so they can be glued together. Be especially wary if the opal is set in jewellery and you cannot see its back or side.
How do I tell if an opal is real?
Why is Australian Opal so expensive?
Australian opals are so expensive because they exhibit an exceptional combination of traits that make an opal valuable. Australian opals are truly a gem, and we mean that more than literally.
Is opal mined in Australia?
Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world’s precious opal and it is our official national gemstone. (see Google Arts and Culture – Australian opals). Opal was first mined commercially at Listowel Downs in Queensland in 1875 and later at White Cliffs in NSW.
Where is Australian opal found?
Opal is mined in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales . A trip to the mining fields in whatever state is a wonderful journey into the Australian Outback. The most famous opal mining towns are Coober Pedy and Andamooka in South Australia. White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge are in New South Wales. The latter is well-known for its black opal.
What is genuine opal?
If it does then you can be pretty sure it is a genuine solid opal. Most probably a white opal or crystal opal. If it has a dark body then there is a possibility it is a doublet or triplet as they have a black artificial backing which causes a dark body tone.