Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·nH2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms of silica, which are considered minerals. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl, and basalt.
The name opal is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word upala (उपल), which means 'jewel', and later the Greek derivative opállios (ὀπάλλιος), which means 'to see a change in color'.
There are two broad classes of opal: precious and common. Precious opal displays play-of-color (iridescence); common opal does not.5 Play-of-color is defined as "a pseudo chromatic optical effect resulting in flashes of colored light from certain minerals, as they are turned in white light."6 The internal structure of precious opal causes it to diffract light, resulting in play-of-color. Depending on the conditions in which it formed, opal may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and the background color may be white, black, or nearly any color of the visual spectrum. Black opal is considered the rarest, while white, gray, and green opals are the most common.
The name opal is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word upala (उपल), which means 'jewel', and later the Greek derivative opállios (ὀπάλλιος), which means 'to see a change in color'.
There are two broad classes of opal: precious and common. Precious opal displays play-of-color (iridescence); common opal does not.5 Play-of-color is defined as "a pseudo chromatic optical effect resulting in flashes of colored light from certain minerals, as they are turned in white light."6 The internal structure of precious opal causes it to diffract light, resulting in play-of-color. Depending on the conditions in which it formed, opal may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and the background color may be white, black, or nearly any color of the visual spectrum. Black opal is considered the rarest, while white, gray, and green opals are the most common.
by Bobthehe July 20, 2023
Get the Opal mug.Opals could be either a mineral or used to describe a person who is very silly and colorful like the mineral 'opal'.
People named this are typically very bubbly and friendly to be around, showing their colorful self!
People named this are typically very bubbly and friendly to be around, showing their colorful self!
by berry_xi June 28, 2024
Get the Opal mug.Related Words
opal
• opalitegnf
• opalka
• Opalkilla
• Opalophobia
• Opal/Novacore
• Opal and evan
• Opal Chat
• Opal Fever
• opal.forrester
When you see images of opals or opals themselves and feel the need to immediately get one for yourself.
by DaRealLooch November 15, 2020
Get the Opal Fever mug.An aesthetic for a gulit tripping little bitch who likes to put sad quotes and dox pedos online for a living.
Someone's status: I have tried to live my life with no regrets. Because regrets will become guilt in some cases, and guilt eats away at your sanity.
Friend:"You have a Opal/Novacore status."
Friend:"You have a Opal/Novacore status."
by MrItty September 4, 2022
Get the Opal/Novacore mug.by SleekBaeLOL December 11, 2017
Get the opal trash mug.A feeling of what life would be like without one's wife, in this case personified by Opal Crankshaft, first used by Earl Pickles.
Earl: You know, Ed, I feel kind of Opal-Less.
Ed: What do you mean?
Earl: Well, that was my wife. Since you married her I miss her.
Ed: Well, without her I'd be Opal-Less myself.
Earl: Ed, I hope you never have to find out.
Ed: What do you mean?
Earl: Well, that was my wife. Since you married her I miss her.
Ed: Well, without her I'd be Opal-Less myself.
Earl: Ed, I hope you never have to find out.
by Dusty's Baby Powder September 15, 2010
Get the Opal-Less mug.A warm up exercise created by Opal Crankshaft on August 19, 2011. The idea behind it is to form yourself into an 'O' by doing the bow pose from Yoga but extending it so that you form a complete circle. This is one of the most fun exercises you can do. Opal Crankshaft loves it, and so will you.
Opal: Hey Beatrice, check out this funky new stretch! Its the called the Opal O. You'll love it!
Beatrice: The Opal O? What is it? How do you do it?
Opal: You just bend yourself into an O, see, like this. (she bends herself into an 'O') See? This is the Opal O. And when I say its a good stretch, I mean its a streeeetch!
Beatrice: (tries the Opal O) Hey! Let's show it to the kids. I bet they'll like it. They might want to try it before the next soccer game. (blows the whistle) Hey kids, come here! I got a new exercise for us to try.
Wilson: Coach Beatrice, are you kidding me? And who is that other lady? I'm not sure if we want to do this.
Beatrice: Easy, honey. This is my friend Coach Opal. She's the one who invented this. And you're gonna love it. Now, I want you all to do it ten times. (blows the whistle) Move it! MOVE IT!
Opal: (get the coach whistle from Beatrice) Come on guys, you'll love this. It helps me. Now, that's it, easy now.
Beatrice: You're right! They loved it. Its a hit! (she does the Opal O again) Great! My back feels better. The Opal O rocks!
Beatrice: The Opal O? What is it? How do you do it?
Opal: You just bend yourself into an O, see, like this. (she bends herself into an 'O') See? This is the Opal O. And when I say its a good stretch, I mean its a streeeetch!
Beatrice: (tries the Opal O) Hey! Let's show it to the kids. I bet they'll like it. They might want to try it before the next soccer game. (blows the whistle) Hey kids, come here! I got a new exercise for us to try.
Wilson: Coach Beatrice, are you kidding me? And who is that other lady? I'm not sure if we want to do this.
Beatrice: Easy, honey. This is my friend Coach Opal. She's the one who invented this. And you're gonna love it. Now, I want you all to do it ten times. (blows the whistle) Move it! MOVE IT!
Opal: (get the coach whistle from Beatrice) Come on guys, you'll love this. It helps me. Now, that's it, easy now.
Beatrice: You're right! They loved it. Its a hit! (she does the Opal O again) Great! My back feels better. The Opal O rocks!
by Dusty's Baby Powder August 23, 2011
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