White Opal is the most common type of opal, usually with a white to off-white body color. It ranges from transparent to opaque, even white milky stones or without play of color, which are seen in many commercial and mass-produced jewelry. The best White Opals are from Lightning Ridge and Clearwater, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S.A.
OPAL, IS IT REALLY BAD LUCK?
Before 1829, Opals were said to bring good fortune because of their unusual multicolor representing the power of all Gems. Even the ancient Latin word for Opal was "Opalus," which meant "to see change of color."
Then Sir Walter Scott published his novel (Anne of Gerstein), in which one of its characters wears an Opal that used to change its color depending on her mood. One day when a few drops of holy water sprinkled on the Opal, she fainted and died.
Since then, readers stopped buying Opals and the news spread that Opals were bad luck. The fact that Opals occasionally cracks when exposed to heat or strong change of temperature or even crack during cutting supported this superstition.
Thanks to Queen Victoria, who wore Opal jewelry and gave it to children and friends, Opals regain its popularity. At the same time, around 1870's, Opal was discovered in Australia in Lightening Ridge and other locations proving that Opal is one of the most beautiful and precious Gems on Earth.
Although, this was an old story, the superstition remained in the mind of some people. Later the idea was modified to Opals are bad luck only if you purchase it for yourself. If it was purchased for you or given to you, then it will bring you all the luck of the world.
No matter what you believe, the ancients believed that Opals have the power of all color Gems and because it exhibits many colors in different patterns in one stone, it was believed that Opals reinforces human power in affecting other people surrounding you.
It is also believed that Opals have a healing power. For those who are always thirst, they wear Opals against their skin. It is the natural Gems that contains water in its composition. Wear it and feel the difference.
PRECIOUS WHITE OPALS, CRYSTAL OPALS, AND JELLY OPALS
Dealers call it precious Opals to differentiate between common affordable White Opals with no play of color and the beautiful White Opal that exhibit a distinctive color pattern and unusually play of color. The more red, orange, and green, the more precious the Opal is, especially, if the play of color is observed from all angles. Opals with fire that goes through the Opal from both sides of the stone have special value.
Crystal Opals are transparent Opal crystals with almost colorless body color with a value that depends on its play of color.
Jelly Opals are semi-transparent to translucent Opals. Sometimes they are described as milky Opals with a value that depends on its play of color.
PATTERN LINES ARE NOT CRACK
One of the most confusing issues in Opal trade is to distinguish between cracks and pattern lines. Not only do uneducated buyers make this mistake, but also, some Opal dealers end up selling at a loss because of this confusion.
Opals sometimes have pattern lines, which look like cracks but are not. These color lines are natural changes in the pattern of an Opal and are not considered flaws.
Cracks usually reach the surface of an Opal and may cause it to fracture. It is easy to identify a crack under magnification and by feeling it with you nail.
Overall, if you buy from a reputable dealer, avoid heat and sudden temperature changes, along with having it set by only an experienced setter, you may enjoy a colorful life and an interesting feel of power.
Main Source: Gemstones Buying Guide by Renee Newman, 1998.
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