Opal

Opal By: Tyler Latimer and Gaétan Rebeyrol

Opal, a mineral consisting of poorly crystalline to amorphous silica, SiO2•nH2O; the water content is quite variable but usually ranges from 3% to 10%. Common opal is usually colorless or white, but it may be gray, brown, yellow, or red; the color is due to fine-grained impurities. Opal is formed at low temperatures from silica-bearing waters and can occur in fissures and cavities of any rock type.

Australia is the classical country of origin and almost 95% of all opals come from the dry and remote outback deserts. The story said to be behind this beautiful stone is told by the Australian aborigines. It is reported in their legends that the creator came down to Earth on a rainbow, in order to bring the message of peace to all the humans. And at the very spot, where his foot touched the ground, the stones became alive and started sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow.

It was discovered that small spheres from silica gel caused interference and refraction manifestations, which are responsible for the fantastic play of colors. The largest opal ever found was found with a weight of 6,843 kilometers.

Edited by Alejandro McClain and Jessie Huang