"Nature's Fireworks" A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 1; Myths and Legends by Stuart Bazga It is hoped that by reading the information contained within, you will have a better understanding of where opal comes from, how it is mined, and the value and various types of opal available to the collector, investor, or those who just want a better understanding of these fascinating stones. There are over 100 different types of opal being mined around the world, with each type being unique to the area it came from and no two opals alike. I have attempted to include the most common types available to you as a buyer. In this 7 part series, we will cover subjects ranging from, the myths, legends and folklore surrounding opal, were opal is mined around the world and the discovery of opal in Australia. Our topics will also include how opal is mined, processed and cut as well as the different types of opal. Lastly we cover caring for your opals and how an opals is valued. Opal has been treasured throughout history from the early Aztecs and Romans to Queen Victoria, who loved opals so much that she gave them away as wedding presents. They have adorned the crowns of the Holy Roman Emperor, and are set in the crown jewels of France. Josephine was given an opal with brilliant red flashes called “The Burning of Troy” by Napoleon. Roman historian Pliny described the beauty of opals as the combination of the beauty of all gems. “Natures Fireworks” and “The Queen of Gems” are some of the superlatives that have been used to describe opal. The word itself – “opal” – may have several origins and differing suggestions as to its first use: One is that it comes from a Sanskrit word “upala,” simply meaning “precious stone.” Another is that the Romans knew it by different names – “opthalmus,” from the Greek word for “eye,” and “paederes,” meaning both “child and “favourite.” Whatever the actual name origin; opal has been a favoured, valued stone throughout a long period of history. The Australian Aboriginals believe that they have lived in Australia since the Dreamtime, the beginning of all creation. Over time, their culture has produced a rich variety of mythologies in hundreds of different languages. To the Aborigines, opals, like other minerals, have a spiritual value because they represent something a Dreaming ancestor left behind as a sign of their presence. The aboriginal Wangkumara tribe recount a legend of how their people gained fire from opal stones, with the assistance of a Muda – a creator who switches from human form to pelican: Long, long ago the Wangkumara people decided to send a pelican (Muda) to explore the Northern Territory, so he could return and tell them what was there. After a time, while still in Queensland, the pelican felt ill and landed on top of a hill. While resting, the pelican observed the ground beneath him, amazed by its magnificent array of colours. Being curious he began to peck at the coloured stones with his beak. Suddenly, a spark flew out and lit dry grass nearby. The flames rose and spread across long distances, approaching a group of Wangkumara who were camped near by. The people were able to cook their meat and fish for the first time, grateful for this new gift brought by these precious stones Throughout history, early cultures credited opal with magical properties, believing it to possess the healing properties of all the gemstones, due to its multitude of colours. The ancient Greeks believed the opal gave the wearer protection from disease and was a sought after gem for its gift of prophecy and foresight. Greek astrologers, mediums and soothsayers also used the stone for divination. As well as its mystical significance and psychic vision properties, opal was also thought to aid in digestion, stomach disorder, and to cure all disease associated with the eyes. It was believed that when a person was to suffer a minor illness, the stone became dull and grey; it would turn a sickly yellow when an injury or accident was about to occur. Superstitions associated with opal continued throughout the Middle Ages, when opal was widely believed to be beneficial to eyesight, while others thought wearing opal would render the wearer invisible to the eye. It was for this reason thieves held opal in such high regard, using it as their symbol, due to this superstition. Blond haired women wore necklaces of opal to protect their hair from loosing its colour, while opal amulets were worn to attract happiness, love, good fortune and favour. In the 19th century, opal was considered unlucky in Europe, due to the plot of a popular novel of the time written by Sir Walter Scott, while in Asia it has always been considered to bring loyalty and hope to the wearer. I hope you have enjoyed reading part 1. In part 2 we discover where opal is mined today. You will be surprised by some of the locations. I look forward to your company again in part 2. Best wishes and have a great day Stuart Bazga Kulpunya Opals Kulpunya Opals was established several years ago to provide the UK and Europe with a specialist supply of opals at great prices. We import directly from key suppliers in Australia with whom we have developed strong and long-term relationships. I am an Aussie living in the Uk since 1990 and run a small import/export business selling Australian Opals and opal jewellery. My latest venture is a website about Castles of Europe called - A Guide to Castles of Europe. A Guide to Castles of Europe was born from childhood dreams and aspirations. It is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves. Stuart Bazga may be contacted at http://www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com or stuart@guide-to-castles-of-europe.com "Nature's Fireworks"  A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 2 World Deposits by Stuart Bazga Although the largest opal fields are in Australia, opal is also found throughout the world from Europe to the South Americas, North America and South East Asia. It has been mined in Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Hungary, western parts of the USA and more recently Canada. Following is a synopsis of the countries where opal is currently mined: Mexico: The Mexican opal fields are primarily located in the Queretare and Jalica regions. These regions have been known to be producing opal since the time of the Aztecs, and the opal is commonly referred to as “Fire Opal.” The colouration of the Mexican opal ranges from bright red to orange and are the only ones faceted rather than left as cabochons. Canada: Since 1973 opal has been mined in British Colombia, with gem quality opal being discovered at the Klinker, Queen and Eagle Creek mines in the 1990’s. Precious opal from Klinker is found to have excellent brightness and multicolour flash. Both the Queen and Eagle Creek mines contain occurrences of transparent, translucent or opaque deposits of common opal. United States of America: Idaho Opal mining is the second largest contribution to the total out put of gem production in the state. Varieties of opal being mined include precious, which comes in a varity of colours (white and pink, yellow, blue and pink) as well as common opal. Louisiana Opal produced here is a sandstone/quartzite composite with precious opal cement and matrix. The plays of colour with these opals usually come as blue or purple. Nevada Precious opal was first discovered around 1905/6 in the Virgin Valley area and is still mined there today. The quality of opal produced is comparable to any found in the world and includes all the colours found in precious opal (red, blue, green, yellow and orange). Oregon Opal deposits have been known since the late 1880’s, but it was not until the late 1980’s that serious mining and marketing was undertaken. Hungary: Ancient opal was mined near Cervencia, Hungary, in what is now Eastern Slovakia. In part 3 we visit Australia and learn about the discovery of opal and the locations it is mined. I look forward to your company again in part 3. Best wishes Stuart Bazga www.kulpunyaopals.com "Nature's Fireworks"  A Beginner's Guide to OPAL Part 3 Australian Opal Fields by Stuart Bazga All of the significant opal deposits in Australia during the last 100 years are located within or surrounding the Great Artesian Basin. The most important deposits are found in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. Today, mining is carried out at the following main areas and each area produces solid opal with specific characteristics and colour patterns. Lightning Ridge, New South Wales This is a town famous for its rich and rare black opal. Black opal gets its name from the colour of the “nobbies” or pieces of rough opal in which the gems are usually found. Black opal was first discovered here in the late 1880’s, however its commercial value was not at first recognised by buyers. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that some opal nobbies were found and shafts dug. Opal occurs either as “nobbies” or in seams and thin layers within a soft greyish clay stone. The opal dirt levels occur between six and eighteen metres from the surface, but have been found at depths as deep as thirty metres. The fields also yield opalised shells, wood and reptilian bones. Some of the traditional fields around Lightning Ridge include the Three Mile and Thorleys Six Mile. White Cliffs, New South Wales Located 295 kilometres northeast of Broken Hill, White Cliffs is Australia’s oldest opal field, where mining began about 1889. As with most towns with mining operations, the population quickly soared, peaking at 5,000 in its heyday. The light crystal opal found at White Cliff quickly became famous on the world market. The opal fields produced the first commercially accepted opal, far surpassing the quality of the Hungarian mines, as opal displaying such vivid colours had never been seen before. Between 1903 and 1914, the richer areas of the opal field became exhausted and a decline in production resulted. The effects of World War 1 also affected the area, contributing to the decline. Central Queensland The history of opal in Queensland dates back to the early 1870’s, but it wasn’t until 1889 when the gem was successfully marketed. The real development of the vast opal deposits began in 1873 with the discovery of fine quality opal north of Thargomindah. During those early years production was low as there was no ready market for the gem. It took the efforts and determination of an entrepreneur named Tully Woolaston to establish the industry. Today, the Queensland opal fields cover an area in the southwest portion of the state, approximately 1000 kilometres long by 300 kilometres wide. Coober Pedy, South Australia The Coober Pedy opal fields were discovered in 1915. Producing white or milky opals, until recently, Coober Pedy was the main producer of precious opal. Today the opal fields encompass an area of approximately 45 kilometres. The name “Coober Pedy” is derived form the Aboriginal word “kupa piti” which loosely translated means “white Man in a Hole.” An isolated and rugged location, Coober Pedy is frequented by freezing cold nights, days where the temperature soars above 40° C and is inundated by millions of bush flies. Too hot to live above ground, homes in Coober Pedy are made in underground burrows. Mintabie, South Australia The Aboriginals were the first to sell black opal from Mintabie at Coober Pedy after WW1 but kept the place secret for some time until eager miners discovered the opal field in the 1930’s. As a result of the remoteness of the area and lack of water, mining in the area was on a small scale. Mining production greatly increased beginning in 1976 as heavy earth-moving equipment was brought in. The opal, sandwiched between layers of sandstone and rock below ground, are drilled or blasted through with explosives. The Mintabie area is now producing very attractive, semi-black opal. Andamooka, South Australia Discovered in 1930, Andamooka is one of Australia’s most famous fields. Located 600 kilometres north of Adelaide but southwest of Coober Pedy in harsh desert country, Andamooka is derived from an Aboriginal name meaning “Large Waterhole.” It is the only town in Australia where the streets have no names. I hope you have enjoyed learning aobut the discovery of Opal in Australia. In part 4 we learn aobut how opal is mined and cut. "Nature's Fireworks"  A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 4 Mining and Cutting by Stuart Bazga Individuals rather than large mining companies do mining in the Australian opal fields. The reason for this is that opal is particularly elusive; it is not found in great amounts at a particular level or in a particular area, but is found at varying depths beneath the surface and is usually found at levels up to 25 metres deep. Although in reality all that is needed to get started mining opal is a pick, most miners now consider a jackhammer and an electric hoist – a machine used to get opal-bearing dirt to the surface – the minimum equipment needed. Most shafts are now drilled using a drilling rig. After a shaft has been sunk and the opal level identified, horizontal drives are dug. After bringing the dirt to the surface, it is initially processed by washing away all the ordinary dirt and leaving behind potential opal stones. This is usually done in an “agitator,” a modified stationary cement mixer. Water is pumped through while the dirt rotates inside. Sludge pours from the mesh-covered openings in the side of the agitator as the dirt is washed away. What remains are known as tailings. This final process is either the most exciting or disappointing part of the hard work of opal mining. It is at this point that it becomes apparent how much, if any, opal there is among all the dirt that has been mined. Sinking a Shaft: This is one of the most effective ways of finding opal, but also the most laborious. The length of the shaft can be as short as three meters or as long as twenty. A variety of tools are needed, including a hand windlass or motorised winch that is placed over the hole, lifting the dirt to the surface. Some miners will use an expensive vacuum-cleaner apparatus called a “blower.” Once the bottom of the shaft has been reached (where the opal-bearing dirt begins), the miner begins gouging away very slowly. A horizontal tunnel is dug in the hope of finding a seam of precious opal or scattered “nobbies.” Puddling and Rumbling: This technique is used once the opal dirt has been transported away from the surface, usually by trucks. The dirt is first placed in a large mesh-lined drum. Water is pumped through it as it rotates, turning the dirt into sludge. The sludge escapes through the mesh in the sides, leaving only pieces of rocks, and hopefully opal. Open-cut Mining: Open-cut mining is created by running over a large area of ground with a bulldozer, slicing away the dirt until the opal level is reached. Although this method is very expensive, the chances of finding opal are increased as a larger area can be mined at once. Noodling: Noodling is when a person goes over what other miners have rejected as rubbish. All that is needed by a “noodler” is a sieve and a very keen eye. PROCESSING Unprocessed opal straight from the ground is known as “rough.” The miner may sell it at this stage, or he may choose to continue the processing himself. Although the potential value of the opal can be estimated while the material is unprocessed, its actual value cannot be established at this stage. The rough opal, although it may look as if it will cut well to produce valuable stones, may have faults within it. Conversely, an ordinary looking piece of rough may produce a magnificent gem. The choice of selling “in the rough” or continuing processing belongs to the miner. Cutting: Cutting and polishing is the process by which the opal is completed before setting into jewellery. A “rub” is stuck onto the end of a “sop-stick” – a short piece of thin dowel used as a handle - with jewellers wax. Using a fine grit cutting wheel, and holding the stone with the dop-stick, the stone is shaped and flaws and scratches are removed from the stone. Polishing: The stone is then polished, usually on a leather wheel using jewellers polishing powder. Careful attention is paid to achieve the best possible results, taking into account the appearance of the stone and retaining as much of its size and weight as is compatible with all other factors. With each touch of the cutting wheel, the cutter will reassess the stone, checking the appearance and colour as well as the presence of any faults, making sure that the maximum potential of the stone is achieved. Oval-shaped stones are still the most popular, but some times, to achieve this shape, a lot of good opal may have to be cut away. In order not to grind away fantastic colour that nature has taken millions of years to produce, an opal may be left in the shape in which it was found. These stones are called “free-forms,” and are becoming more popular as people realise how individual, personal and attractive these unique stones look once set in jewellery. CARING FOR YOUR OPALS Opal is a very delicate gemstone and it is important you properly care for it. Although solid opal does not require any special conditions, it is advisable to avoid impacts and knocks. Keep it away from direct heat and sunlight, and avoid accidental splashes with any chemicals. Opals are softer and more fragile than most other crystalline gemstones. Be careful not to scratch or hit opals, especially those mounted in rings, and avoid wearing rings while washing up or doing gardening and housework. Never clean your opal with jewellery cleaner of other harsh chemicals. Simply use water with a little vinegar in it and brush the jewellery gently with a soft toothbrush, then rinse in clean water. Contrary to some belief, water will not harm solid opal. In fact, it is sometimes recommended that solid opal should be immersed in water overnight occasionally to maintain its water content, a recommendation that may or may not be true. However, doublets and triplets should never be immersed in water, as moisture may get in between the layers, spoiling its appearance or causing the glue holding the layers together to dissolve. Opals are composed of between 3% - 20% water and as such, should not be allowed to dry out or freeze. When storing opal, avoid using plastic bags and dry storage conditions. Soft cloth bags with padding are ideal. If storing solid opal, take it out occasionally and wipe with a damp cloth or dip in fresh water. That concludes part 4. In part 5 we learn about the types and characteristics of some of the major types of opal available today. "Nature's Fireworks"  A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 5 Opal Types by Stuart Bazga During the Cretaceous period (65-140 million years ago) deserts were an inland sea teeming with life. The sea gradually receded laying the foundation of silica that would form the opal of today. During the mid-tertiary period, changes in the earth’s climate caused quantities of soluble silica to be released from the sediment, finding its way down through cracks and faults, eventually hardening over time. This hardening continued to form common and precious opal. The vivid array of colour in the opal is from the uniform alignment of the silica particles. The size of the particles determines the colour as light refracts through it. Unlike many other gemstones, opal doesn’t occur in lengthy veins or concentrations. Instead, small clusters may be spread over a vast area and divided into precious or gem quality and common. Opal is found in many varieties, but precious opal represents only a small percentage of the total mined. Black Opal: Black opal is the rarest and most valuable of all opals and is generally found as a bar of various colours in a dark body. In addition, there is also Semi black and black Crystal. Black opals from Lightning Ridge, Mintabie and Andamooka in Australia account for 99.9% of all opals in the world. Boulder Opal: Boulder opal, found in the fields of Queensland, is classified as a solid opal and occurs as thin veins of precious opal in cracks and cavities of ironstone. During processing, the stone is cut leaving the natural host rock as backing. The opal occurs as either a solid piece of colour on top of the ironstone or showing as flashing flecks of colour throughout the stone. Light Opal (White or Milky): Light opal can be found in Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintabie in South Australia. A full range of colours can be found, with the background colour either white or light blue. Crystal Opal: As the name suggests, crystal opal has a brilliant, crystal appearance, with a translucent or transparent background. When viewed on a dark surface the colours spring to life. Picture Opals: Picture opals are so called because their pattern forms an image of an object or person. A good imagination is sometimes required to visualise the object/person. Fire Opal: The term “Fire opal” is commonly used to describe the clear orange crystal opal that comes from Mexico, some of which have a play of colour, although many have just an orange or reddish base with no play of colour. Opalised Fossils: Buried in the layers where opal mining occurs are the remains of a world over a hundred million years old, brought to the surface by miners searching for gemstones. These fossils include the remains of dinosaurs, shells, mammals, plants and fish. Some of these fossils have been opalised, a process in which silica-laden waters have gradually replaced the organic material. Common Opal: Common opal is classified as non-gem quality opal, mostly opaque and showing no play of colour. Matrix Opal: Matrix opal is when opal is infused in the rock in which it was formed. Veins of precious opal permeate sandstone or ironstone filling holes and crevices of the host rock. Synthetic Opal: Synthetic opal as the name suggests, is produced in the laboratory and has a similar structure to that of precious opal. The following observations can be made to differentiate between natural and synthetic opal: a. Synthetic stones show brighter colours and larger colour patches; b. In synthetic opal, colour grain boundaries are highly irregular; c. Synthetic opal has a distinctive snakeskin patter; d. The material shows a more ordered array of colour because the intricate patterns of natural opal cannot be duplicated. Rough Opal Parcels: Rough opal parcels are sorted into three grades: Top, Middle and Low. Each Top parcel has a King Stone (the best stone in the parcel). Colour is the primary criteria for grading. You can buy rough opal in several different conditions: a. Mine Run – Directly from the miner himself. These stones have not yet been cut or graded. b. Off Cuts – The miner has removed all marketable opal and you are sold what is left. With off cuts, you can usually tell what you are going to be able to cut. c. Rubs – The opal stones have been cut and ground into basic shapes, after having removed most of the rubbish. Andomooke Matrix: A more porous opal found in the mining fields. Out of the ground it is quite pale, but after treating it with a carbon dye process it looks like a real, black opal. Yowah Nut: This rare and unusual opal, up to 5 cm across, looks like a round or oval nut and is an ironstone formation. Opal forms within the nut either as a solid kernel or more commonly, in concentric layers infused with the host rock. The nut has to be split open before the contents are revealed and it may be split so that mirror images are produced. Opal Doublets: Opal doublets, as the name suggest, is a thin layer of precious opal cemented onto a backing, usually a piece of black common opal or ironstone. Produced because the opal is too thin to produce a solid stone, doublets are a cheap and inexpensive way to buy a colourful piece of precious opal without the cost involved of a solid. Triplets: Similar to a doublet, but has three pieces sandwiched together, with a thin piece of precious opal cemented to a backing and a clear quartz cap placed on top to protect and bring out the colour of the opal. That conlcludes part 5. In the final instlament I have combined Parts 6 and 7. We learn how opal is valued and I have included a dictionary giving definitions of those terms and words which you may be unfamiliar with. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and as always, I look forward to seeing you all again soon. "Nature's Fireworks" A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Pt6/7 Valuing and Dictionary by Stuart Bazga Valuing Opals When determining the value of an opal, several factors are involved: Type of opal Soundness Base colour Fire colour Colour pattern Brightness of fire Background (base) Colour: Solid precious opal is more valuable than a doublet or triplet, and black opal is more valuable than boulder opal, and so forth. The darker the body colour, the more valuable the gem. Fire Colour: The clarity of the opals colour is critical when determining the value of the opal. Opal is graded according to its colour, with red fire being the most rare, followed by green/orange, green/blue, blue, and finally, purple. However, brilliance and clarity of colour, along with proportional pattern are the main decision makers; a brilliant blue/green opal can cost more than a dull red. An opal displaying a bright “pinfire” pattern can cost more than a cloudy open pattern of similar colouration. Colour Pattern: Nearly all opal displays some type of pattern, with no two opals being alike. The various patterns are: Harlequin: The most prized of all nice patterns and its name is derived from its likeness to floral dress material. Pinfire: Closely resembles a mass of pinheads in different colours. Mobile rolling Flash: Consists of one colour, which travels across part of or all of the stone as it is moved. Palette Pattern: As the name suggests, resembles an artist’s palette. Soundness: Opal should be free from cracks and flaws. OPAL DICTIONARY TERM Agitator: Modified cement mixer used to wash dirt away from precious opal. Boulder Opal: Formed in cavities and cracks of Ironstone, usually from Queensland, Australia. Black Opal: Naturally occurring solid opal with a coloured face and black backing. Blower: A large truck mounted vacuum cleaner used to suck dirt to the surface. Cabochon: The rounded surface of a cut stone. Crystal: Transparent/translucent opal. Doublet: Opal with an attached dark coloured backing. Drive: A horizontal underground tunnel. Free-Form: A naturally shaped opal – something other than oval or round stone. Harlequin: Type of opal pattern with a checkerboard appearance, rare and expensive. Hoist: A bucket attached to a framework in a shaft, used to carry dirt to the surface. Level: Usually the layer of opal bearing dirt. Matrix: Any material with specks running through it. Nobby: Nodule of opal almost exclusively from Lightning Ridge. Parcel: A collection of any number of opals, either rough, rubs or cut, offered for sale. Pinfire: Type of opal pattern where specks of different colour covers the whole stone. Potch: Opal without any colour, also called common opal. Puddler: Forerunner of the agitator, a mesh drum. Rough: Opal in its natural state, as it comes out of the ground. Rubs: Opal pieces intially shaped with the waste material, sand removed but not yet cut and polished. Seam: Opal found in a layer rather than in nobbies. Shaft: A vertical hole down to a mine. Solid: A natural occurring solid piece of opal, cut into a stone. Tailings: Material left after opal dirt from the mine has been washed. Triplet: A stone comprising a thin layer of natural opal with an attached dark backing and a clear quartz capping. Windlass: Forerunner of the hoist, hand operated device for raising buckets of opal dirt to the surface by by means of a cable and drum with handles. Yowah Nut: Small ironstone boulder, containing opal either as a solid kernel or in concentric layers. That concludes this 7 part series. I hope you have enjoyed reading - "Natures Fireworks" - A begginers Guide to Opal. Together, these six articles when printed out, combine to give the novice, opal enthusiast or collector who has a little or no understanding of opals an insight into the world of these Queen of Gems. Best wishes and have a great day Stuart Bazga www.kulpunyaopals.com I am an Aussie living in the Uk since 1990 and run a small import/export business selling Australian Opals and opal jewellery. My latest venture is a website about Castles of Europe called - A Guide to Castles of Europe. A Guide to Castles of Europe was born from childhood dreams and aspirations. It is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves. Stuart Bazga may be contacted at http://www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com or stuart@guide-to-castles-of-europe.com