Gem Profile- White Precious Opal

by Dale Armstrong

This article is one of a six-part series on Opal. Here is a complete list of our Opal articles: An Opal Introduction, Common Opal, Black Precious Opal, White Precious Opal, Opalized Fossils, Boulder Opal

Probably the most recognized opal is one with a milky white background that displays a variety of colors, sometimes across the entire stone, but most often just a flash of color here and there.

This type is known as "precious white" opal, that is found in a wide variety of grades and colors, and was adored by Queen Victoria, who enjoyed giving opals as wedding gifts.

Opal pendant wrapped by Gail Maas in gold filled wire; this little opal is only a 1/2" tall. Check out its reflection to see its fire!

White opal was first documented as a gemstone in ancient Greece, where it was called the "Queen of Gemstones."

The Roman author Pliny described it as combining the best qualities of other gems: "the fine sparkle of Almandine, the shining purple of Amethyst, the golden yellow of Topaz, and the deep blue of Sapphire, so that all colors shine and sparkle together."

This white opal was mined in what is now the Czech Republic and was known as "Hungarian" opal.

Transported to the Roman Empire for jewelry and ornaments worn by the elite, early Greeks believed these opals were solidified tears of Zeus.

The name "opal" comes from the Greek *opallios*, meaning "color change." These early opals were cloudy and pale compared to modern specimens.

Precious white opal carved into shapes; click to enlarge image. Notice how the butterfly (left) is beginning to craze, or crack. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.

In Part 3 of our series on opals, Black Precious Opal, we learned that Lightning Ridge in Australia produces some of the finest "precious black" opals in the world; "precious white" is also found there and in many other parts of Australia, which produces about 95% of the world's precious opal.

Besides Lightning Ridge, White Cliffs, and Andamooka, one of the most famous Australian opal fields is Coober Pedy, nicknamed "Opal Capitol of the World."

Precious Freeform Opal from Coober Pedy, wire wrapped by Juliet Brinker-Burgess, cut and polished by her late husband Ron Burgess (the opal is approx. 35mm at longest point, 33mm at widest point, with fire throughout).

While researching Coober Pedy, I was amazed to learn it is largely an underground town.

The article *Under the Range* by journalist Ron Gluckman details the town's long history and describes this "town of tunnels and caves" with humor and insight. Modern-day Coober Pedy feels reminiscent of the "wild" American Southwest.

The Aboriginal meaning of Coober Pedy is fitting: "white man in a hole."

Opals from Coober Pedy range from clear white to milky white, and some are water-clear, known as "crystal" opals.

Precious white opal rough from Coober Pedy, Australia. Photo compliments to Michael Peck and Coober Pedy opal cabochons, cut and polished by lapidary Michael Peck.

Crystal opal is named for its lack of color, not its structure, because opal does not truly crystallize.

Opal crystals are among the most amazing gemstones; like soap bubbles, their clear matrix is filled with an ethereal play of colors rising from deep within the stone.

Some of the most beautiful crystal opals I've seen come from Ethiopia. These nodules form in the gas-filled cavities left by flowing and solidifying volcanic pumice.

Often, an entire vug is filled with opal crystal, and only the softer pumice edges need cleaning before the piece can be polished into a freeform shape.

Most opals are cut into cabochons, but crystal opals, including jelly opal, can also be faceted.

Opal "crystal" rough from Ethiopia. Private collection, Dale Armstrong and Precious white, yellow and crystal opal cabochons from Ethiopia. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.

Precious white opal is found in Europe, Africa, Iceland, and the United States.

In Idaho, it occurs in white and pink and fills gas cavities in rhyolite-obsidian, earning the name "Bubble Opal."

Blue precious opal is mined in Arizona, showing flashes of red, orange, blue, and green.

Oregon also produces opal in a region called "Opal Butte." Here, precious opal forms in many ways, including crystal and fire varieties.

According to gemstone expert David Federman, Oregon opal is quickly gaining recognition among the best opals.

Precious opal cabochon wire wrapped by Beverly Brown

Resources

Print Resources:

Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Opals by Fred Ward, ISBN 1887651047
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9

Internet Resources:

www.gemstone.org
www.gluckman.com
www.wikipedia.org

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Dale Armstrong

A die-hard rockhound, lapidary, and wire jewelry designer, instructor and author, Dale credits her mom for spurring the main interest that led to Dale's chosen career. Her mother was an avid rockhound and many, weekend family adventures involved traipsing through the White Mountains of New Hampshire in search of abandoned pegmatite mines. This is where Dale’s fascination with, and education of rocks and minerals began, some 40 years ago.

With more than 40 years of experience, Dale uses absolutely no solder or glue in her traditional wire jewelry designs, and teaches how at jewelry making events in North America, Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland. Her award winning work is sold in galleries and has appeared in many printed publications.

Author of numerous magazine and Internet articles and the bestselling book, “Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping”, Dale has made several series of instructional DVDs for WireJewelry.com.

hen she is not teaching or writing, Dale creates new designs in SE Tennessee where she enjoys her family, furry friends, gardens and tons of rocks.