Buying Australian fire opal is a great way to invest in a stone that can be used in jewelry, cufflinks, or even as a gift for someone special. The unique coloring and pattern of these gems can make them a great addition to any collection. You can purchase a variety of fire opals at your local gem shop, or online. Get to know the Australian fire opal price.
Precious vs common opal
Generally speaking, opals can be divided into two categories - common and precious. The former is generally a translucent stone with little or no opalescence, while the latter is opaque and displays opalescence. Depending on the type of opal, its price can range from 850 to 2000 Rs.
to thousands of dollars per carat.
In Australia, most opal is obtained from two main provinces: Queensland and the Northern Territory. The best opals are produced in Coober Pedy, known as the 'Opal Capital of the World'.
Usually, the best quality opals cost several thousand dollars per carat. A high-quality stone can be more expensive than a diamond.
Precious opal is the more expensive type, with its price ranging from several thousand dollars per carat to several thousand dollars per gram. The price is also dependent on the color factor and the types of flashes that appear.
Common opal varieties
Among the many gemstones that are available, opals are some of the most beautiful. While the white opal is one of the most commonly cut varieties, there are several other types to consider. These include the boulder opal, the precious opal, and the matrix opal.
Boulder opal is a type of precious opal that is formed in vertical cracks in ironstone boulders. Boulder opal is found in a number of different locations, but most commonly in Western Queensland. Boulder opal usually has a chocolate brown ironstone backing. It has a natural polish on its face, but a tendency to cleave.
Opal is a type of hydrated silica that exhibits a phenomenon known as play-of-color. It occurs when opal silica water seeps into cracks in a host rock. This creates a thin seam that attaches to the host rock. Then the silica solution evaporates, leaving behind opals in selected places.
Blue-fire opal
During the late 1800s Australia became the world's leading opal producer, supplying nearly 100% of the world's demand for opal. Its production has continued uninterrupted ever since. The world's largest opal production center is Coober Pedy, located in South Australia. It is also the world's most famous opal mining center.
The main source for blue-fire opal in Australia is Lightning Ridge. However, the gem can be found in many mining districts throughout Australia. It is commonly cut into cabochons and jewelry. It is one of the most expensive types of opal. The price can vary depending on the size and other attributes of the gemstone.
Blue-fire opals are often cut into attractive cabochons. They have a nice luster and produce a blue-spectrum of light reflection. It can be found in many different hues, including deep ocean blue and pale sky blue.
Doublet opal
Generally, an Opal doublet is a two-part gemstone made of a thin slice of opal and a backing of dark coloured material such as ironstone or potch. The darker the backing, the more the play of colour is highlighted. It also helps to provide the strength and thickness needed for setting.
The opal doublet is a budget friendly option that does not need to be polished to create the look of a solid opal. The doublet is cut to show off the most impressive part of the Opal. However, it is still susceptible to scratching and impact. It is therefore best suited for jewelry pieces that are not exposed to rough use.
A Triplet is similar to an Opal doublet, but it has three layers. The bottom bun is made of ironstone or potch, the middle bun is made of opal, and the top bun is made of quartz or plastic. The cap is typically made of synthetic colorless spinel or rock crystal quartz. The cap acts as a magnifier and as a protective layer.
Lab-created opal
Unlike natural opal, lab-created opals have no lizard skin effect, and the color pattern is more uniform. These stones are more durable, and their luster can be enhanced by applying a polymer resin. In addition, they are less likely to crack. Lab-created opals are also cheaper than their natural counterparts.
Lab-created opals are created in a laboratory for two years. This process is similar to natural opal formation, but differs from other synthetic gem materials.
Synthetic opals are made from opaline silica. They are grown in a laboratory for two years and then infused with polymer resin to improve their durability and luster.
RatanRashi is the best place to buy gemstones online. Synthetic opals look like natural opals, but are less expensive and have a different chemical makeup. They are also more porous, and some are modified with extra materials. They also do not fluoresce in UV light.