By
Ashley Bailey, Monday, August 07, 2006 12:00 AM
Every year millions of carats of white opal are imported into America, most of it from Australia but a lot of it from Brazil. As the October birthstone, it makes a popular choice for trinkets and keepsakes.
Most of this opal is commercial quality, with white to slight gray base color against which can be seen pale pinpoints of spectrum color. This color play is called "fire" and, unfortunately, most opal has about as much fire power as a BB gun - or maybe we should say a cap pistol.
But, hey, what can you expect for the little money such opal costs?
The trouble is, commercial opal gives this gem a bad name. Some white opal glistens with streams and swirls and clusters of fire. In the best quality material, the color forms distinct broad patterns. There’s nothing better when it comes to opal - except black opal (see separate article). But you’ll have to pay for the privilege of owning high-caliber white opal.
We think it’s well worth the price.
And if you’re looking for a bargain in fine white opal, may we suggest material from Mintabie, Australia, where stones have a light grey to charcoal base color which heightens the play of spectrum color. At its best, this material begs for classification as black opal. But because it doesn’t technically qualify as such, you get the benefit of that disqualification with a lower price. What’s in a name, anyway?
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