opal

Appearance before and after smoke treatment.

Unfinished Ethiopian opal pendeloque, 16 x 16 mm. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Dr. Fischer Fine Art Auctions.

The stunning “Virgin Rainbow” certainly shows every color of the rainbow. © Opal Auctions. Used with permission.

A massive piece of Coober Pedy, this famous opal is the most valuable opal ever unearthed. Image © Altmann and Cherney. Used with permission.

Showing magnificent yellows and reds, this baroque opal looks like liquid fire. © The Gem Vault. Used with permission.

Lady’s watch with inlaid opal dial. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and 888 Auctions.

Note the dark backing on this thin piece of opal. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Jasper52.

Oval cabochon-cut opal, 7.41 cts. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Henry’s Auktionshaus AG.

Rough opal parcel, 17.75 ctw. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Antique Finder Services.