What is opal?
FAQ : What is opal? Where does opal form? What causes the colours in opal? What is potch? How does opal form?
Read more...Learn About Opals
Here at Opals Down Under, not only do we like to see our opals go to good homes, but we are also here to educate you on what an opal is, how opal is valued, where it is mined, and various other facts and figures to take in. If you still have any questions after reading through the information provided, please feel free to contact us.
Introductory Topics
Types of Opal
FAQ : What are the different types of opals? What is Black Opal? What is Crystal Opal? What is Boulder Opal? What is White Opal? What is the difference between the types of opals? What are the different types of opal? What is a doublet? What is a triplet? 'What is synthetic opal? What is imitation opal?
Read more...
Black Opals
FAQ: What is a black opal? What colour are black opals? Where are black opals mined? What makes a black opal black? What is a semi-black opal? How are black opals valued? How much is a black opal worth?
Read more...
Boulder Opal
FAQ: What is a boulder opal? What colour are boulder opals? Where are boulder opals mined? What is the value of a boulder opal?
Read more...White Opals
FAQ: What is a white opal? What colour are white opals? Where are white opals mined? What is the value of a white opal?
Read more...Crystal Opals
FAQ: What is a crystal opal? What colour are crystal opals? Where are crystal opals mined? What is the value of a crystal opal?
Read more...Opal Doublets and Triplets
FAQ : What is a doublet opal? What is a triplet opal? What is the difference between doublets, triplets, and solid opals? What happens when doublets or triplets get wet? Why do some opals go cloudy? How should I care for a doublet or triplet?
Read more...Opal Facts & Myths
Myth: Opals need to be soaked in water occasionally to prevent cracking.
Read more...How to Care for Opals
FAQ : How do I take care of opals? What is the best way of caring for opal? What is a doublet? What is a triplet? How do I clean my opal? What happens if I get my opal wet?
Read more...Are Opals Bad Luck?
FAQ : What is the history of opal? Are opals bad luck? Is opal bad luck? Why and when did superstition begin to surround opal?
Read more...
How to Buy Opals - a guide to purchasing opals
FAQ : What to look for in an opal - What is a doublet? What is a triplet? How do I buy opals? What are the different types of opals? How can I get value for money when I'm buying an opal?
Read more...How is Opal Valued?
FAQ : How is opal valued? What makes a good opal? What are the different patterns in opal? What faults can opal have that detract from its value? What is the play-of-colour? What should I look for in a good opal? How are opals valued? Why are some opals more expensive than others?
Read more...
A Guide to Common Opal Words
-
Agitator - or 'agi' for short; a modified cement mixer used to wash and tumble opal dirt. Usually set up adjacent to a dam for water supply.
Intermediate Topics
How to tell if an Opal is real
FAQ : How can I tell if an opal is real? What is Gilson opal? What are synthetic opals? How can I tell if an opal is synthetic? What is synthetic opal? How can I identify opals? Is my opal real?
Read more...
How is Opal Mined?
FAQ : How is opal mining done? What is noodling? How are opals mined? How is opal mined? What is open-cut mining? How are opals processed?
Read more...Australian Opal Mining Fields
FAQ Where are the opal fields in Australia? Where are opals mined? Where is opal mined? Where is opal mining done? When was opal discovered?
Read more...New South Wales Opal Mining Fields
The home of Australian Black Opal
FAQ Where are the opal fields in Australia? Where are black opals mined? Where are the Lightning Ridge opal fields?
South Australian Opal Mining Fields
The home of Australian White Opal
South Australia, by weight would produce most of Australia's opal. Fields such Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie, and Lambina produce stunning White and Crystal Opals.
Read more...The History of Opal
FAQ : What is the history of opal / opals? Who discovered opals? When was opal first found?
Read more...Opal Engagement Rings - tips and ideas
FAQ: Where can I find an opal engagement ring? Are opals suitable for engagement rings? Where can I find opal wedding rings?
Read more...Men's Opal Rings - tips and ideas
FAQ: Are opals suitable for mens' rings? Do men wear opal rings? Are opals strong enough for a man's opal ring?
Read more...Advanced Topics
How is Opal Formed? - the Geology of Opal
FAQ : How is opal formed? / How are opals formed? What is the Great Artesian Basin? What is potch? What causes the formation of opal?
Read more...Opal Cutting & Polishing- How to Cut and Polish Opal
FAQ: How is opal cutting done? How do I cut rough opal? Where can I learn about cutting opals? How is opal polishing done? How can I polish an opal?
Read more...Where do Opals get their Colour?
FAQ: What causes the colours in opal? How does opal get its color? What is potch? Where do opals get their colors? What is the structure of opals? Why does opal have colour?
Read more...
Black Opal Vs Boulder Opal
FAQ: Which is better, black opal or boulder opal? What is black opal? What is boulder opal? What is the difference between black opal and boulder opal? How are black opals valued? How are boulder opals valued?
Read more...Opal Nomenclature & Classification
A new era for opal nomenclature
Anthony Smallwood FGAA, GG
Chairman, G.A.A. Opal Nomenclature Sub-committee
Read more...
Opal Resources for Download
The following outside resources are available for download in PDF format and require Adobe Reader.
To download a file, please right-click on the link and select 'Save Target As'.
Read more...Opal Fossils
FAQ : What are opal fossils? Where are black opal fossils found? What does opalized / opalised mean?
Read more...