Difference between revisions of "Light opal"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
An [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=opal opal] with pale iridescent colors. Light opals typically have bluish or greenish tones but may also show oranges and pinks. The colors depend on the crystal size within the stone. When the particles are small, some purple can be seen. Medium sized particles diffract green and larger particles show red. Light opals with an opaque, milky background are called white or milk opals. Most light opals come from Australia (Coober Pedy and Mintabie mines).
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An [[opal]] with pale iridescent colors. Light opals typically have bluish or greenish tones but may also show oranges and pinks. The colors depend on the crystal size within the stone. When the particles are small, some purple can be seen. Medium sized particles diffract green and larger particles show red. Light opals with an opaque, milky background are called white or milk opals. Most light opals come from Australia (Coober Pedy and Mintabie mines).
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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white opal; milk opal
 
white opal; milk opal
  
== Other Properties ==
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==Physical and Chemical Properties==
  
Massive with no crystalline structure.  Cleavage=none  Luster = vitreous to pearly. Fracture = conchoidal.  Streak = white   
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* Massive with no crystalline structure.   
 
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* Cleavage=none   
Iridescent.  Fluoresce=usually white or pale green, some samples phosphoresce
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* Luster = vitreous to pearly.  
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* Fracture = conchoidal.   
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* Streak = white   
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* Iridescent.   
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* Fluorescence = usually white or pale green, some samples phosphoresce
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
| 2.15
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| 2.15 g/ml
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
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|}
 
|}
  
== Authority ==
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==Resources and Citations==
  
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal (Accessed Oct. 12, 2005)
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* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal (Accessed Oct. 12, 2005)
  
 
* Yasukazu Suwa, ''Gemstones: Quality and Value, Volume 1'', Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc., Tokyo, 1999
 
* Yasukazu Suwa, ''Gemstones: Quality and Value, Volume 1'', Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc., Tokyo, 1999

Latest revision as of 13:06, 7 October 2022

Description

An Opal with pale iridescent colors. Light opals typically have bluish or greenish tones but may also show oranges and pinks. The colors depend on the crystal size within the stone. When the particles are small, some purple can be seen. Medium sized particles diffract green and larger particles show red. Light opals with an opaque, milky background are called white or milk opals. Most light opals come from Australia (Coober Pedy and Mintabie mines).

Synonyms and Related Terms

white opal; milk opal

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Massive with no crystalline structure.
  • Cleavage=none
  • Luster = vitreous to pearly.
  • Fracture = conchoidal.
  • Streak = white
  • Iridescent.
  • Fluorescence = usually white or pale green, some samples phosphoresce
Mohs Hardness 5.5-6.5
Density 2.15 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.42-1.47

Resources and Citations

  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Yasukazu Suwa, Gemstones: Quality and Value, Volume 1, Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc., Tokyo, 1999
  • Michael O'Donoghue and Louise Joyner, Identification of Gemstones, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2003