Buried deep in the heart of the australian outback lies an elusive gem that entices men and women to give up the city and head for the outback, affectionately known to Australians as the bush. Now, life in the bush has great appeal. The air is fresh, the sky is blue by day, and like a diamond-studded blanket at night.

At times though, you have to endure the dust, the flies, the heat, the cold and the rough outback roads. If you are infected by the Opal bug, you are willing to endure all these hardships, because if you happen on one of these amazing stones, you will be rewarded with one of the rarest of God's creations.

It's as though some talented artist dipped his brush into the palette of the spectrum, splashed it across a meaningless rock, and transformed it into a masterpiece. The varieties and patterns in Opal are endless, and the combinations of colors are in the millions.


Australian Opal and Diamond Starfish Pendant
Inlaid Australian Opal dotted with Diamonds for the perfect sparkle.
14k yellow gold, 1 inch in length and 1 inch in width.
18-inch 14k yellow gold chain.

Opal has been mined worldwide, but Australian Opal accounts for 96% of all commercial Opal and is the main source of precious Opal. Australian Opal is mined in many locations throughout New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. It can form in vertical or horizontal seams in the sandstone as well as in fossilized formations. Because of the unique conditions under which Australian Opal is formed, it is nearly impossible to find two Opals exactly the same.


18k Australian Crystal Opal Ring
18k Yellow and White Gold.
Stone Size: 7x5 mm.

Crystal Opal has a degree of transparency which allows the colors below the surface to be visible. Some believe the crystal varieties to be the most beautiful. Crystal Opals can be either light or black crystal. By definition, Crystal Opal is any Opal clear enough to read through against a light surface but colors spring to life when viewed on a dark surface.


Sterling Silver Australian Opal Doublet Bracelet
Doublets are Opals that have been glued together to imitate the appearance of Black Opal. When a slice of Opal is glued to a black backing, it causes the color to become much darker and more vibrant. Thus, doublets contain only a small amount of actual Opal, and therefore, are much less valuable - but still beautiful.

Make no mistake about it, these can be some very pricey gems, but the colors are stunning!

SOURCE
Opal Mine by Brusacci