Opal
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Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica; its water content may range from 3% to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6% and 10%. Due to the amorphous physical structure, it is classified as a min
A rich seam of iridescent opal encased in matrix
Precious opal consists of a regular arrangement of silica nanospheres in closely packed planes (idealized diagram).
This precious rough opal from Coober Pedy, South Australia, displays nearly every color of the visible spectrum.
Common rough opal
Coober Pedy
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Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of preci
Opal
…conflict with that of Laurs et al. and Mesfin, who estimated the 2012 Ethiopian opal output (from Wegeltena) to be only 750 kg (1,650 lb). The town of Coober Pedy in South Australia is a major source of opal. The world's largest and most valuable gem opal "Olympic Australis" was found in August 1956 at the "Eight…
Town centre
Town sign, with blower truck
Coober Pedy – sunset on the Breakways
Coober Pedy, March 2005