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WHAT IS AN OPAL?
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Find out more about Opals! Characteristics That Determine Opal Value Characteristics of Okanagan Opal Precious
Opals in Canada
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General Opal Information
History related to opal can
be traced back for over one thousand years. Some refer to opal as the
“Prince of gems” others call it the “Queen of gems”.
Regardless of which of these is right, one thing is certain -- opal is
a gemstone befitting royalty; as anyone who owns one knows.
The wondrous beauty of a brilliant play of colors emanating from an opal is unsurpassed by any other gemstone -- the brightness and pattern of the play of color from every opal is different.
For the past one hundred years Australia has been the undisputed major supplier of precious opal to the world, with lesser amounts being supplied from Mexico and Honduras. The States of Nevada, Idaho, California and Oregon have also supplied some opal to the domestic and world markets. Production from Australia has diminished substantially over the past 10 years.