Opal unset 2020

Description

Crystal Opal from Lightning Ridge

Size: 20×15 mm Total Carats: 11.85 ct Status: Unset Shape: oval Origin: Lightning Ridge area Registered Post: Free to your door or post office box

Description blue with flashes of green which turn very delicate without a black background. The stone is nearly translucent.

More information
These stones and their close cousin, white or milk opal are some of the best known opals in the world because of the fact that crystal and white opal have been mined for centuries, if not for thousands of years. European supplies came from the opal mines in Hungary which are all but mined out now. The difference between crystal and white opal is that crystal is more translucent, in that you can actually see down deep into the stone. White opal is opaque, the color being on the surface of the stone. Crystal opals are the more expensive variety.

Where do they come from?

Crystal Opals mainly come from the Coober Pedy opal fields in South Australia but they are also found in the other fields as well. This one comes from the Coocoran opal fields near Lightning Ridge in Western New South Wales.