Precious Opals – A Kaleidoscope of Colors

We don’t like to pick favorites, but we must admit that opals are one of Earth’s most mesmerizing geological wonders. Unlike any other gem, precious opals have an incomparable interplay of light, flaunting vibrant flashes of red, blue, green, and gold that shift with every angle. This phenomenon, known as opalescence, makes each opal a one-of-a-kind.

Opals form when water seeps into cracks and voids in the Earth’s crust, depositing silica layers that harden over millions of years. Precious opals, specifically, diffract light to reveal their signature play of color. Whether you’re crafting statement jewelry, refining a rough specimen, or adding to your collection, rest assured that the precious opals available here at Gallery TCR have exceptional quality, hypnotizing opalescence, and unique character. No two stones are ever alike!

Opal properties:

• Color: Base colors range from white and black to fiery orange and translucent crystal, with a dazzling play-of-color in between
• Luster: Vitreous to resinous, giving them a soft, glowing appearance
• Transparency: Can be transparent, translucent, or opaque
• Hardness: Mohs 5.5–6.5
• Cleavage: None, but opals have a conchoidal fracture (smooth, curved breakage)
• Density: Approximately 1.98–2.25g/cm³, relatively lightweight for their size.

Something to keep in mind: Not all opals are precious, even if they’re sourced from the same location. Unlike precious opals, non-precious “potch” varieties have a more milky appearance and lack the flashing rainbow effect.

Our curated selection of precious opals for sale includes raw stones for lapidary work, polished cabochons for jewelry making, and exquisite specimens for display. Each opal is handpicked for its brilliance, color play, and individuality. Shop now to own a piece of nature’s opalescent work of wonder.