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Opal

Fireworks. Jellyfish. Galaxies. Lightning. Opal’s shifting play of kaleidoscopic colors is unlike any other gem.

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View of a dragonfly brooch from above. Translucent wings and body of blueish opal.

Orangy red particles in pink opal.

Precious opals with unusual bodycolor.

SEM image of opal.

Gem-quality common opal from Mexico.

An 18K yellow gold “Gold Rush” bracelet features garnet, carnelian, citrine, tourmaline, blue topaz, iolite and amethyst. Photo by Sandra Stampfli, courtesy Bahina Jewels

This blue sapphire displays a six-star asterism.

Man holding opal

From the Seabed to the Sky

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All photos remain under the ©Gemological Institute of America copyright and may only be used with permission. More Copyright Information

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