sagansense: Stunning Ocean Scene Inside an Opal Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica. The int
sagansense:Stunning Ocean Scene Inside an OpalOpal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica. The internal structure of precious opal makes it diffract light and can take on many colors. Precious opal ranges from clear to almost any combination of colors. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. They vary from opaque to transparent. Because of its amorphous character it is classed as a mineraloid, unlike the other crystalline forms of silica which are classed as minerals. They generally occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, but are most commonly found in limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl and basalt. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia, which produces 97% of the world’s supply. This particular opal is highly unique. When viewed from different angles, the internal composition changes as do the reflected colors. Known as Opal Butte opal, the beautiful gem is owned by Inna Gem, a company that buys and sells opals. When the light hits this opal it looks like an underwater scene from the ocean.sources 1, 2via odditiesoflife -- source link