The colours and patterns seen in opal are known as Opalescence. – FALSE
‘Play of colour’ is the correct term for the iridescent effect and rainbow colours seen in Opal. Opalescence is correctly applied to the milky effect seen in common opal or potch, moonstone or opal-glass. It is due to the scattering of light by small particles within the stone.
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Opals for a Brave New World
Fine taste, positive thoughts and good fortune are the hallmarks of remarkable individuals.
Sir Thomas Brassey (1836-1918), 1st Earl Brassey, was the son of a self-made millionaire and aire to a railroad fortune.
By Royal Appointment
Louis XVI (1754-1793) wore an Opal finger-ring befitting the illustriously luxuriant Court he held with his Queen at Versailles. Indeed Marie Antoinette owned a famous flame Opal known as the ‘Forest Fire’.
Symbol of Regency
Opals became a sine qua non of royal and aristocratic dress in Renaissance England. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) and indeed members of the Elizabethan nobility, wore lavish parures of Opal.
Queen of Gems
Due to its exceptionality Opal has always been well represented in private collections around the globe. The mysterious ‘Queen of Gemstones’ is synonymous with graceful power, beauty and rarity.