Although most opal mines are found in Australia (where the opal is the national gemstone) at places like Lightning Ridge, the famous White Cliffs, and the town of Coober Pedy, the common opal category reaches all the way to the United States and Mexico. The Dendritic Opal can be found all around the world. Where Is the Dendritic Opal Most Commonly Found?Īnother reason this gem falls under the common opal category is its easy accessibility. The combination makes for an interesting balance, especially when the best way to exhibit the opal’s natural artwork is to cut it into slices so the different plant-like patterns can be easily seen. ” Due to the metallic inclusions, these opals are often difficult to shape and slice the way you would like them, even though they are considered “soft.” Although the soft gem portion can be easily chipped, the metals prove to be tough obstacles for most artisans, so it takes a very careful hand to work with them. The dendritic patterns found in these opals are never the same, like snowflake patterns or other such geometric or vein design formations found throughout nature, and the raw aggregates are usually kidney-shaped or grape-shaped.ĭendritic Opals can contain almost 30% water, making them “ soft gems. The coloring of the Dendritic Opal is whitish or yellow/brown in color and the collection of dendrites it contains often look dark green or deep brown, just like a plant (hence the nickname “Moss Opal”). These opal aggregates often form in relatively low temperatures and have a resinous luster. They quite often have no play-of-color at all.Ī common opal is defined as “dendritic” when it contains fern, moss, or tree-like patterned inclusions of metallic oxides like manganese and iron. Unlike the precious opal and rainbow opal, common opals rarely contain brilliant flashes or streaks of iridescent color when held in the light.
Common opals, often called “Potch” opals, are opaque in appearance and have an earthy range of colors that include white, blue, pink, yellow, yellow/orange, brown or black, or a mixture of colors with patterned inclusions. The Dendritic Opal, or “Moss Opal” by its fond nickname, falls under the common opal category. There have been over 60 types of opals identified in the world, and each falls into one of three categories: Common Opals, Precious Opals, and the rare Rainbow Opals. Opals, no matter what type, contain no crystalline structure and are often made up of a certain percentage of water and microscopic silica spheres.
The general definition of an opal is a hydrated silicone dioxide mineraloid mined from a rock fissure. Although it is not exactly rare or precious, this earthy mineraloid draws the eye with its interesting milky coloring and plant-like metallic inclusions. The Dendritic Opal is considered to be a particularly attractive and magical gem in all circles of people and has been used for a variety of things worldwide. Their mysterious auras attract the spiritually minded, the creative, and the scientifically inspired alike. Throughout history, they have been used as symbols of power and status, adopted as mystical healing gems, integrated into all types of architectural masterpieces, showcased in art, and worn as beautiful accent pieces. Crystals have been an obsession for people all around the world for centuries.
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