Opal info
Opal
Opals for October! You've probably heard the superstition that this gem is unlucky to wear unless it is your birthstone. But for many ages they have been considered therapeutic, transformative and a symbol of hope.
They were even used traditionally as an engagement stone, symbolising love and fidelity before being pushed out of the market by rumours and superstition. Two Skies says it is time for opals to shine again.
Black Opal - Australia
Black Opal is the most valuable and appreciated of all opal varieties, especially those from Australia’s famous Lightning Ridge. It is because of its ability to display vivid and intense colours that Black Opal is considered the most valuable type available today.
Adam describes the town of Lightning Ridge as one of the most unique places in the world of opal. These stones are mined, cleaned, cut and polished to reveal their striking flashes of colour.
Boulder Opal - Australia
Found only in Queensland, Boulder Opal is usually mined from ironstone boulders. Thin veins of colourful opal form naturally inside the host rock, creating stones with beautiful contrast and natural character.
This type of opal often shows flashes of blue, green, yellow and red. Because the opal remains attached to its natural host stone, every piece has a unique look.
Yowah Nut - Australia
Yowah Nuts are small boulders with intricate ironstone patterns and opal hidden inside. When cut open, they can reveal colourful centres, layers of brown patterning and unusual natural formations.
These stones are becoming harder to find and are admired for their natural charm, pattern and rarity.
Opal - Ethiopia
Ethiopian Opals are sourced from newer fields and are known for their bright play of colour. They often display flashes across the whole stone and can contain many colours in a single piece.
Their transparency and rainbow colour effect make them highly attractive for jewellery.
Opal - Mexico
Mexican Opal is often formed inside gas bubbles of host rock. When opened and polished, the stone can reveal bright colour and beautiful natural fire.
These opals are often mined on a smaller scale and can be highly prized for their unique colour and formation.
