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Opal
Fireworks. Jellyfish. Galaxies. Lightning. Opal's shifting play of kaleidoscopic colors is unlike any other gem.
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Cat’s-Eye Boulder Opal
A precious cat’s-eye boulder opal from Australia is examined in the Carlsbad laboratory.
“Worms” in Opal
Near-colorless heulandite crystals in an Ethiopian opal resemble the segmented bodies of worms.
Natural Opal with Unusual Play-of-Color Pattern
Play-of-color pattern in Ethiopian opal is reminiscent of a turtle’s shell.
Black Opal with Unique Play-of-Color
A black opal cabochon set in a ring displays vivid orange play-of-color.
Precious Opal from Pedro II, Brazil
A look at the variety of rough and finished Brazilian opal offered by Prime Gems at the GJX show.
Blue Opal from Chile
An ocean blue variety of opal from Chile was introduced at the 22nd Street show in Tucson.
Intarsia Jewelry Box by Nicolai Medvedev and Susan Helmich
Opening day at the AGTA GemFair included the unveiling of the “Treasure Chest II with Blue Boy” intarsia jewelry box.
Slovak Opal: A New Life for a Historical Gem
Reports on the recent production of precious and common opal from a centuries-old locality.
A New Treatment: Creating Phantom Structure in Opal
A newly developed treatment creates a phantom structure in opal visually similar to natural phantom opal.
Rare Double Pseudomorph Ikaite-Calcite-Opal
One of the finest specimens of double pseudomorph ikaite-calcite-opal ever unearthed was on display at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show.
In Memoriam: Andrew Cody
The life of one of Australia’s leading opal authorities is remembered.
Conversation with True Blue Opals and Gems
At the AGTA show, we spoke with Natassa Patel, who along with her mother, Salma, owns and operates True Blue Opals and Gems.
