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Opal
Opal is a very unregular mineral. The chemical formula is SiO2 * nH2O, but the structure is far from
the struture of Rock crystals and Amethysts. Opal has got much colors which change with the beam of light angles and so opal gleams. The reason for this effect is that opals contains water. When opal desiccates then this effect is away. Then it is good to put the opal for some time into water and then the effect returns. In antiquity this stone was very expensive and people thought that he has got positive effects. We can find much Opal in Australia and in Mexico. Until today Opal is used for jewels and he is expensive. Mostly Opal is slided roundly. In former times in Rome opal was very important.
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Data about the Opal
| | Chemical formula |
SiO2 * nH2O |
|---|
| Mineral class |
oxides |
|---|
| Crystal system |
amorph |
|---|
| Hardness |
5 to 6.5 |
|---|
| Density |
1.9 g/cm3 to 2.5 g/cm3 |
|---|
| Color |
many colors |
|---|
| Line color |
white |
|---|
| Gloss |
fat gloss |
|---|
| Break |
shell |
|---|
| Fissileness |
none |
|---|
Author and Webmaster: Lukas Czarnecki
If you have got questions about opal you can send me an e-mail under the following adress:
webmaster@hpwt.de
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Last Update: 03.11.2004