Learn About Opals - Introductory Topics

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What is opal?

FAQ : What is opal? Where does opal form? What causes the colours in opal? What is potch? How does opal form?

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?

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?

Semi-Black Opals

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?

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?

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?

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?

Opal Facts & Myths

Myth: Opals need to be soaked in water occasionally to prevent cracking.

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?

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?

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?

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?