opal

Want to try your hand at opal prospecting? Whether you’re a newbie considering a career change or a rockhound heading to an opal mine, you need…

Coober Pedy town sign with blower truck. Opal miners use trucks like these. A vacuum sucks debris into the drum. When full, the drum is emptied, forming…

For centuries, opal symbolism included associations with royalty and good luck. However, in modern times, this gemstone has become the object…

Some famous opals have histories just as fascinating as their appearance. Learn the unique stories behind sixteen of the largest and most beautiful…

Question: I happened upon some opal in the raw when I was traveling in Honduras. There were ten pieces in a bottle filled with water. The man who sold…

Opal and pearl have been valued as gems throughout history and across many cultures. However, these beautiful objects have chemical compositions…

Although opals can be been found all around the world, there are only a few major sources of this gemstone. Australian opals account for 95% of the…

From pearly white to distinctive boulder and colorful fire, the opal variety you choose will greatly affect the aesthetics and price of a finished…

For this lesson, please famialiarize yourself with our Gemstone Encyclopedia article about opals and then return here to mark this lesson as complete.…