Opal Types....
Triplet  Opal Mosaic Small pieces of opal chips are glued to a dark backing and enclosed in resin, sometimes giving resemblance of a solid opal, but it is more normally used in jewelry making (watch faces) etc.. However, truly stunning mosaics are created when larger slices of gem grade opal are utilised and planned out in specific patterns, with the opal sides fitting perfectly against each other - like in the  photograph of this Mosaic Opal Pendant, which I created many years ago.* A point of note... with my own mosaic creations, I only use genuine natural quality quartz crystal when cutting a cap for them. "Picture" mosaics that illustrate a landscape/portrait etc. are the most valuable of all ! We have kindly been given permission to show this beautiful and mystical Opal Mosaic as an example of a "picture" mosaic.... It is in fact one of the most stunning that we have ever seen and we have been told that it took over five years to produce!  (* Picture Copyright) The creator of this gorgeous opal mosaic resides in Cooberpedy.... one of our Australian Opal mining towns. Opal Inlay  Opal inlay is comprised of small pieces of crystal opal that are inlaid straight into jewellery channels or inlaying fine Crystal Opal into a host medium, such as other opal, boulder opal and other compatible semi-precious stones.  Boulder & Matrix OpalBoulder Opal is a thin layer of opal that is naturally attached to it's brown ironstone host rock.  Matrix Opal is where the precious opal infuses & permeate into sandstone and ironstone, filling the crevices and holes of it's host rock. Another form of opal is the Yowah Nut. This is rare and looks like an oval nut of about 5 cm across and is an ironstone formation. The nut has to be split open to reveal the mirror opal images that are produced inside it. The opal either forms as a solid kernel (very rare) or as concentric infused layers of opal within the host rock. The Color of Opal .....Opals are usually cut and polished in round or oval cabachons, depending on the raw material. This brings out the best play of colour of the opal. A mixed range of colours of red, blue green are the most valuable,particularly if they are very bright or fiery which is a major consideration of value. Pattern of colour is also important. If the colour red appears when looking at an opal, then the opal will contain all other colours also. The evaluation of an opal is determined by it's play of colour, it's patterning, its thickness, it's cut, weight and finish. Crystal opal is more transparent with a deep play of colours and second to the black opal. White/Milky opals show more lighter (diffused) colour and are the least expensive of the opal range. Black Opal ......Black opal or opal with dark base show more of the brilliant play of colours of an opal. A Black opal (top quality of course from Lightning Ridge!) is a natural solid opal stone with a black or nearly black body tone (background). By closing one's eyes and squinting at the face of the stone all other colours are ignored and the "body tone" (darkness level of the opal) can  be seen more clearly, showing the depth of the "blackness" of the stone.The term Black Opal is somewhat misleading as the opal is not 'black' in colour, but has a very dark base body colour, which enhances the brilliance of the diffracted colours. An opal is considered a Black Opal only when it is in the depths of N1 to N4, then escalating down to Dark and Light opals. Investing In Opal .....The following points should be considered when purchasing or investing in opal.
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