What is the rarest opal type?

What is the rarest opal type?

Black opal
Black opal is the most rare and highly valued form of opal, and has what is called a black (or dark) body tone. Black opals come in every colour of the rainbow.

What is the rarest opal in Australia?

The “Olympic Australis” is reported to be the largest and most valuable gem opal ever found. It was found in 1956 at the famous “Eight Mile” opal field in Coober Pedy, South Australia.

What is the most beautiful opal?

The Virgin Rainbow
Considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful opals, “The Virgin Rainbow” is a 63.3mm Black Crystal Opal Belemnite Fossil in a ‘pipe’ shape. It Features gem quality colour, and is also said to glow in the dark.

Is opal rarer than diamonds?

On the whole, opals are rarer than diamonds because there are less high-quality opals available than there are diamonds. The good news is that you can find a gem-quality opal for a great price, especially compared to a diamond.

What is the cheapest type of opal?

White opals
White opals have a light body tone and are generally the least valuable form of opal. The term crystal opal refers to the ‘diaphaneity’ (transparency) of an opal, not its crystal structure, and is defined as any type of opal which is translucent to transparent.

Are Ethiopian opals a good investment?

Ethiopian Opal is a new variety of opal discovered in Wollo province of Ethiopia. It is highly valued for its vibrant body hues, bold color flashes and patterns. These opals are superior in terms of quality but are relatively cheaper than the other popular origin varieties such as Australian Opals.

Are black opals real?

Black opals are actually not black. They have a natural backing to them called “potch” that gives them their dark body color. Against this backdrop, all the colors of the rainbow can dance in stunning patterns. Other gemstones get their color due to specific elements present at the time of formation.

What is a flash pattern Opal?

Broad Flash Pattern – this type of opal, as the name describes, can throw large, brilliant colours across the face of the stone when rocked back and forth. The colour may then disappear until the stone is moved again, hence the flash. This type of stone is popular when making rings as it will flash colours with the movement of ones hands.

Is a bright opal with flashes more attractive?

A bright opal with stunning pin-fire flashes may have greater appeal to someone than a opal with a rarer pattern that is not as bright. That’s what we love about opal, each one is different and beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

What is the value of Opal?

Opal is a vanity stone and it’s value is determined by how much someone is prepared to pay for it’s aesthetic appeal. A bright opal with stunning pin-fire flashes may have greater appeal to someone than a opal with a rarer pattern that is not as bright. That’s what we love about opal, each one is different and beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

What are the different types of Opal patterns?

Chinese Writing Pattern – has flashes of colour that look like Chinese writing. Harlequin Pattern – commonly known among the old miners as tartan shirt opal, Harlequin is the most sought after pattern in opal. A true harlequin pattern is a repeating pattern of contracting diamonds or elongated squares.