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Precious Opal

Big Photo

Hosszú Hill, Megyaszó, Zempléni Mts., Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co., Hungary
© Tamás Ungvári 2005

Show Precious Opal Photos (111)
Formula:
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
Colour:Multi-coloured
A variety of Opal

A valuable gem-variety of opal.
Most, but not all, is of the opal subtype Opal-AG.

Classification of Precious Opal

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Physical Properties of Precious Opal

Colour:Multi-coloured

Chemical Properties of Precious Opal

Formula:
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:H, O, Si

Other Names for Precious Opal

Synonyms:
Rainbow Opal
Other Languages:
Varieties:
Bandfire OpalBlack OpalBoulder OpalClaro OpalContra Luz Opal
Crystal OpalHarlequin OpalLechosos OpalLevin OpalMother of Opal
Opal MatrixPainter BoulderPinfire OpalPyrophaneRed Flash Opal
White OpalYowah Nut

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Precious Opal

Reference List:Jones, J.B. and E.R. Segnit (1971), The nature of opal. I Nomenclature and constituent phases. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia: 18: 57-68.

Anal. Chem. Acta (1994): 286: 107.

Lapis Extra No. 10, Opal (1996).

Internet Links for Precious Opal

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    Localities for Precious Opal

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Finch Co.
    		[var: Boulder Opal]
    - Smith, E. & R. (1999): Black Opal Fossils of Lightning Ridge - Treasures from the Rainbow Billabong, Kangaroo Press, East Roseville. - Cram, L. (2004): A Journey with Colour, Vol 2, Part B - A History of Lightning Ridge Opal 1873-2003, Len Cram. - Australian Opal Centre web site http://www.australianopalcentre.com/
    - Cram, L. (2004): A Journey with Colour, Vol 2, Part B - A History of Lightning Ridge Opal 1873-2003, Len Cram. - Australian Opal Centre web site http://www.australianopalcentre.com/
    - Smith, E. & R. (1999): Black Opal Fossils of Lightning Ridge - Treasures from the Rainbow Billabong, Kangaroo Press, East Roseville. - Cram, L. (2004): A Journey with Colour, Vol 2, Part B - A History of Lightning Ridge Opal 1873-2003, Len Cram. - Australian Opal Centre web site http://www.australianopalcentre.com/
      • Narran Co.
        • Angledool
    		- Smith, E. & R. (1999): Black Opal Fossils of Lightning Ridge - Treasures from the Rainbow Billabong, Kangaroo Press, East Roseville. - Cram, L. (2004): A Journey with Colour, Vol 2, Part B - A History of Lightning Ridge Opal 1873-2003, Len Cram. - Australian Opal Centre web site http://www.australianopalcentre.com/
      • Yungnulgra Co.
    		No reference listed
    [var: Boulder Opal]
      • McKinley Co.
        • Bulloo River
          • Blackwater Creek
    		Rocks & Min.: 8:15.
        • Listowel Downs
    		Rocks & Min.:8:4.
    [var: Boulder Opal]
    Martins da Pedra collection
    • South Australia
      • Andamooka Ranges - Lake Torrens area
    		[var: Mother of Opal]
      • Coober Pedy - Everard Range Regions
    		No reference listed
      • Mintabie
    		John Nijhuis.
      • Mt Lofty Ranges
        • South Mt Lofty Ranges
          • Barossa Valley
            • Angaston
    Brazil
     
    • North Region
      • Pará
        • São Geraldo do Araguaia
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Omenica Mining Division
        • Burns Lake
    		www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile
        • Troitsa Peak
    		www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile
      • Vernon Mining Division
        • Vernon
    		www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Döbeln
    		H. Vollstädt, R. Baumgärtel: "Einheimische Edelsteine", 2nd. ed., Steinkopff (Dresden), 1977
    Honduras
    [var: Opal Matrix]  
    [var: Opal Matrix]
    Rocks & Min.:8:8.
    • Lempira Department
    		[var: Black Opal] N. Jb. Mineral. Abh. 186 (2009) 11-20.
    Hungary
    www.giant.net.au/users/bmi/prof.htm.
    www.giant.net.au/users/bmi/prof.htm.
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Zempléni Mts.
        • Erdőhorváti
    		[var: Black Opal]
    [var: Black Opal] Szakáll & Gatter: Hungarian Mineral Species, 1993
        • Komlóska
    		[var: Black Opal] Koch: Minerals of Hungary, 1985
        • Legyesbénye
    		[var: Black Opal] Szakáll: Top.Min. Hun.
        • Megyaszó
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Szakáll: Topographia Mineralogica Hungariae III.
        • Tállya
    		[var: Black Opal]
        • Telkibánya
    		Szakáll-Weiszburg: Telkibánya
    Indonesia
     
    • Jawa Island (Java Island)
      • Banten Province
    		Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
    Mexico
     
    • Guanajuato
      • Mun. de Cuerámaro
        • Cuerámaro
    		Panczner(1987):286.
      • Mun. de Pénjamo
        • Pénjamo
    		Panczner(1987):287.
    • Jalisco
      • Mun. de Magdalena
        • La Amazata
    		Panczner(1987):287.
    Panczner(1987):287.
        • Magdalena
    		Panczner (1987): 287.
    Panczner (1987): 287.
        • San Andrés
    		Panczner(1987): 288.
        • San Simón
    		Panczner(1987):288.
    Panczner (1987): 288.
      • Mun. de San Cristóbal de la Barranca
        • El Salvador
    		Panczner(1987):288.
    Panczner(1987):288.
    • Nayarit
      • Mun. de Jalisco
        • La Curva
    		Panczner(1987):288.
    • Queretaro
      • Mun. de Amealco
        • Amealco
    		Panczner (1987): 288.
      • Mun. de Ezequiel Montés
        • Ezequiel Montés
    		Panczner(1987):289.
    [var: Contra Luz Opal]
      • Mun. de Tequisquiapan
        • La Trinidad
    		Panczner(1987):289.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Štiavnica Mts
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
          • Dubník
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    Somaliland
     
    • Jodha
    		Journal of Gemmology, 28:81-84 (2002).
    Spain
     
    • Canary Islands
      • Las Palmas Province
    		Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
    • Catalonia
      • Girona (Gerona)
        • La Selva
          • Caldes de Malavella
    		Joaquim Mollfulleda, Minerales, Omega, 1996
          • Sils
    		Joaquim Mollfulleda, Minerales, Omega, 1996
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Vulture Mts
          • Vulture District
    		Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 87.
      • Santa Cruz Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 193.
        • Oro Blanco Mts
          • Oro Blanco District (Ruby District)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 193.
        • Redrock District
          • Redrock Canyon
            • East of Red Rock Canyon
    		Lewis, W. Scott (1942), Gem collecting in California: Hobbies: 47: 116-117; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 282.
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Bradshaw Mts (Bradshaw Range)
          • Castle Creek District
    		Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 87.
    • Arkansas
      • Garland Co.
        • Wilson Springs (Potash Sulfur Springs)
          • Union Carbide Mine
    		R&M 70:3 pp 154-170
    • California
      • Napa Co.
    • Idaho
      • Clark Co.
        • Spencer
    		Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
    Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
      • Latah Co.
    		The Moscow Opal Mines 1890 to 1893 (The First Commercial Opal Mines in the United States), Ron Brockett, 1975
    Dake, 1956. NW Gem Trails, 2nd ed.
      • Lemhi Co.
        • Salmon
    		Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
      • Owyhee Co.
    		Dake, 1956. NW Gem Trails, 2nd ed.
    • Louisiana
      • Vernon Parish
    		R&M 69:3 pp 156-162
    • Nebraska
      • Custer Co.
    		The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2
      • Furnas Co.
    		The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2
      • Morrill Co.
    		The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2
    • Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Donnelly District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Santa Rosa Mountains
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Rocks & Min.:13:56.
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Rocks & Min.: 8:16; 19:13.
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lincoln Co.
        • Mormon Mountains District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Grant Co.
        • Central District
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Sandoval Co.
    		NMBMMR Bull 81 Summary of the Mineral Resources of Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Santa Fe Counties, New Mexico
    • Oregon
      • Lake Co.
    		Dake, 1956. NW Gem Trails, 2nd ed.
      • Morrow Co.
    		Extra Lapis - English No. 10 Opal
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Alpine
    		http://www.omsinc.org/archives/Ore-cutts_Jan04.pdf
    • Washington
      • Whitman Co.
        • Pullman
    		Dake, 1956. NW Gem Trails, 2nd ed.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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