White Opal – precious opal with a white base color
White Opal belongs to the group of precious opals. Like all precious opals, white opal also displays a dazzling play of colors. This property is also called opalescence. Small silica spheres bend the light and thus create a glittering effect. In addition to white opal, boulder opal and black opal are also considered precious opals.
White Opal has a light base color
In addition to the colorful play of colors, every precious opal has a base color, also called “body color”. In the case of black opal, this color is dark to black; in the case of white opal, the base color ranges from almost colorless to white to medium gray. In German-speaking countries, it is also often referred to as “light opal”. Transparent opals with a play of colors are called “crystal opals”.
Due to the light base tone, the shimmering colors on the “surface” appear less intense than in black opals. In addition, white opals are relatively common. These characteristics make it a comparatively inexpensive gemstone.
White opals usually come from Australia or Ethiopia.
Australia is the world's largest opal supplier. About 95 percent of precious opals are mined here. This also applies to white opal. It comes mainly from South Australia, with less significant deposits in Brazil and Ethiopia.
White Ethiopian Opals often belong to the subgroup of “Hydrophane Opals” or “Water Opals”. Water can make up to 20% of the mass of these opals. Depending on the humidity, their mass and weight varies slightly. These stones should be protected from too much contact with water when they are set in jewelry. They should not be worn when swimming or showering, for example.
White opals for jewelry
White opals are mainly used for jewelry. You can have your white opal from the Igneous Gemstone Shop made into a ring, bracelet or necklace. If you find several similar gemstones, you can also make earrings out of them.
White opals can be combined with other colored gemstones or small diamonds. Depending on your preference, silver, white or yellow gold can be used for the setting. These dazzling stones can also be an eye-catcher in red gold.
According to the American Gem Society, opal is the birthstone of the month of October. Therefore, white opal is also ideal for a jewelry gift for those born in October.
White opal: hardness
On the ten-point Mohs scale of mineral hardness, white opal ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 on the hardness scale. For reference, the softest mineral is talc, with a hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale. The hardest is the diamond at level ten.
White opal cabochon cut
White opal is almost always cut in cabochon form. This smooth cut accentuates the play of colors particularly well. Round, oval and square shapes are possible. Free forms also occur in white opals.