Raw Common Opal Value Guide

This Raw Common Opal specimen from the USA is a notable Holocene era collectible prized for its distinct waxy luster and milky white to light amber hues. Unlike precious varieties, common opal is sought after by collectors for its ethereal translucency and the unique conchoidal fracture patterns characteristic of hydrated amorphous silica.

What affects the value of Raw Common Opal?

• The intensity and clarity of the milky white or light amber coloration.
• The overall size and weight of the raw specimen, with larger intact pieces fetching higher prices.
• The quality of the translucency and the absence of opaque matrix or host rock inclusions.
• The preservation of the natural waxy luster and the sharpness of its fracture edges.

How to Identify Raw Common Opal?

• Look for a characteristic waxy to vitreous luster on the surface of the raw specimen.
• Verify the presence of conchoidal (shell-like) fracture patterns where the stone has broken.
• Check for a lack of 'play-of-color' or fire, as common opal is defined by its solid milky or amber translucency.
• Confirm the material is a hydrated silica which often originates from volcanic rock cavities.

History of Raw Common Opal

Opals have been used for millennia, with historical sources dating back to the Roman Empire. Unlike precious opals which display a play-of-color, common opal is prized for its soft, ethereal translucency and unique conchoidal fracture patterns. It is a hydrated amorphous form of silica that often forms in volcanic rock cavities.