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The different colours that can be seen on an opal stem from the diffraction of light from very small silica spheres within the gemstone. This is the reason the colours change when opal is looked at from different directions.Larger and more ordered silica spheres within the stone result in a greater range and intensity of colour. This colour play and interference of light is called iridescence. This is diferent from the opalescence seen within moonstones. Most gemstones are facted or cut to calibrated shapes and sizes., however opals are often cut as freeform cabochons. This is done to maximise the colour play of the individual opal. The irregular shapes makes each opal unique and promotes creativity in design Left to Right, Opal pendant and types of opal cabochon jewellery
Until the end of the 19th century Czechoslovakia was the main supplier of Opal, however today the biggest source is Australia. More than 90% of the world's precious opals come from Australia, and the rest can be found in other counties such as Brazil, Mexico Indonesia, Czech Republic,USA, and Ethiopia
Opal is amorphous and can be found inside cavities within sedimentary rock, such as sandstone or ironstone. It can also be found running through igneous rock as a vein. It is made of hardened silica gel which contains a water content between 5 and 30%. Opal also acts as a petrifying agent, replacing organic substances such as wood, shell, and bone,
