BLACK OPAL Meaning and
Definition
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Black opal is a distinct variety of opal, a gemstone renowned for its mesmerizing display of play-of-color. It is characterized by its dark background color, predominantly ranging from dark grey to jet black, which serves as a contrasting canvas for the vibrant iridescent flashes that illuminate its surface. These captivating bursts of color dance across the stone, showcasing an array of hues such as blues, greens, reds, and yellows, creating an ever-changing and captivating spectacle.
This unique gemstone derives its name from the darkness of its base color, which enhances the brilliance and intensity of its play-of-color. Black opals are primarily found in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, one of the world's most notable sources of opals. The precious stone owes its color to the presence of minute impurities and the arrangement of silica spheres within it, refracting and diffracting light to produce its vivid spectral display.
Renowned for their rarity and opulent beauty, black opals hold a significant place in the world of gemstones and are highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. Their value is influenced by various factors including the intensity, distribution, and quality of their play-of-color, as well as the overall size and shape of the gemstone. Adorned in various forms of jewelry, such as rings, pendants, and earrings, black opals exude a captivating elegance that reflects the timeless allure of this enigmatic gemstone.
Common Misspellings for BLACK OPAL
- vlack opal
- nlack opal
- hlack opal
- glack opal
- bkack opal
- bpack opal
- boack opal
- blzck opal
- blsck opal
- blwck opal
- blqck opal
- blaxk opal
- blavk opal
- blafk opal
- bladk opal
- blacj opal
- blacm opal
- blacl opal
- blaco opal
Etymology of BLACK OPAL
The word "black opal" derives from the combination of two different elements.
First, "opal" has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, where it was known as "upala", meaning "precious stone" or "jewel". Over time, this word passed through various languages, including Latin and Greek, before making its way into English as "opal".
The term "black" originates from Old English "blæc", which means "dark" or "ink-colored". In the context of opals, "black" refers to the dark or blackish body tone of the gemstone. This peculiar coloration distinguishes black opals from other types of opals, which can exhibit a spectrum of different hues.
Thus, the etymology of "black opal" combines the descriptive term "black" with the name of the gemstone "opal", highlighting the specific variety of opal with a dark body tone.
Similar spelling words for BLACK OPAL
- black belt,
- blackcap,
- black flag,
- black spot,
- black buffalo,
- black pine,
- black bryony,
- black weevil,
- blackfoot,
- black fox,
- black pea,
- blackball,
- block plane,
- blackpool,
- black buck,
- black bass,
- black bread,
- black bile,
- black body,
- black vulture,
- blackfly,
- blackpoll,
- black book,
- black plague,
- Black Africa,
- black poplar,
- black panther,
- black fly,
- black friar,
- black bear,
- black box,
- blackbuck,
- block vote,
- block off,
- black pepper,
- block up,
- black bamboo,
- black sheep,
- black bream,
- black bead,
- black bean,
- black bee.
