COMMON OPAL (CHALCEDONY)

Opal is technically a mineraloid and not a mineral due to its amorphous nature (lack of a crystalline structure). There are two kinds of opal, precious and common, and both make excellent gemstones in their own ways. Common opals do not exhibit the play of color that a precious opal does, something one thinks of when they hear “opal”. While not as flashy as precious opals, common opals exhibit some phenomenal visual qualities, including a turbid opalescence. Common opals sport a milky haziness that appears to be actively swirling within the stone, giving them a mystical quality. While precious opals are more popular, common opals are incredibly collectable as well. These stones can appear in almost any color, though warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) and green tend to exhibit more “movement” in their opalescence.