Opal Jewellery: Fire, Colour and Everything In Between
The Rainbow in a Stone
No other gemstone on earth replicates the spectacle of a fine opal. Within a single stone, you might see flashes of red, green, blue, orange, and violet — all shifting and dancing as the stone moves in the light. This phenomenon, called play-of-colour, makes every opal completely unique. At Corelune Jewellery, we believe opals are the most extraordinary gems in the world.
How Opals Form
Opals are formed from a silica-rich solution that seeps into cracks and cavities in rock and slowly hardens over millions of years. Their play-of-colour is caused by the diffraction of light through the regularly arranged silica spheres within the stone.
Types of Opal
- Black Opal: The most prized and valuable type. Found almost exclusively in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Dark body tone makes the play-of-colour vivid and dramatic.
- White or Light Opal: The most common type. White or light body tone with a beautiful play-of-colour. More affordable than black opal.
- Boulder Opal: Thin veins of opal formed within ironstone host rock. The host rock is left as a natural backing, making each piece completely unique.
- Crystal Opal: Transparent or semi-transparent opal with an exceptional play-of-colour that can be seen through the body of the stone.
- Fire Opal: Transparent to translucent orange or red opal. May or may not show play-of-colour. Primarily from Mexico.
The Myths Around Opals
You may have heard the superstition that opals bring bad luck. This myth originated in a 19th-century novel and has no basis in history. In ancient Rome, opal was considered the luckiest of all gems. In Aboriginal Australian tradition, opal is a sacred stone associated with the Dreamtime creation story. Opals are the October birthstone.
Caring for Opal Jewellery
Opal has a relatively low hardness (5.5–6.5) and contains water — making it sensitive to sudden temperature changes, drying environments, and impacts. Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, extreme heat, and ultrasonic cleaners. Clean gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Explore our opal jewellery at Corelune Jewellery and own a piece of nature's most spectacular artistry.
