What Is Play-of-Color? How Opal Makes Its Rainbow
What is play-of-color in opal? A jeweler explains the silica-sphere physics behind opal’s rainbow, which colors are rarest, and how pattern affects value.
Richard Lewis
Opal Meaning and Symbolism: Folklore, Birthstone and What Opal Represents
Opal meaning and symbolism: the folklore, the bad-luck myth debunked, opal as the October birthstone and 14th anniversary gift, and what opal represents.
Black Opal: Why Lightning Ridge’s Finest Is the Most Prized
Why black opal is the most prized opal: what ‘black’ really means, where it comes from, and how to judge body tone, brightness, pattern and color.
How Much Is Opal Worth? A Jeweler’s Guide to Opal Value
How much is opal worth? A jeweler explains the factors that set opal value, rough price ranges by type, and how to avoid overpaying.
Understanding Opal: A Jeweler’s Guide to Types, Color and Value
A jeweler of 50 years explains what opal is, the main types (black, boulder, crystal, fire, Ethiopian, Australian), what sets the value, and how to choose.
Ethiopian vs Australian Opal: What’s the Difference?
Ethiopian vs Australian opal explained by a jeweler of 50 years: origin, fire, hardness, water sensitivity, price, and which one is right for you.
What Is an Abalone Pearl? A Guide to a Rare Natural Gem
What is an abalone pearl, why is it so rare, and how do you care for one? A jeweler of 50 years explains these wild California gems and how to wear them.
How to Care for Opal Jewelry
How to clean, store, and protect opal jewelry so it keeps its fire for life, from a jeweler with 50 years at the bench. Includes Ethiopian opal care.