The Opal's Heart: Secrets of the Blue Gem

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:14:59 +0000

Blue opal gemstone is one of the many varieties of opal stone that is available in shades of blue-green and blue. Sometimes, the term “blue opal” also describes the opaque varieties of opal found in Machu Pichu, which generally possesses a teal color. Unlike other gemstones, blue opal is not a mineral – rather, it is classified as a mineraloid. What it means is that the mesmerizing blue opal is composed of spheres of microcrystalline silica that scatter blue light through a phenomenon known as the play of colors. If you are not aware of the phenomenon known as the play of colors, well, it is an optical effect because of which precious opals display changing hues. These changing hues (or colors) appear to float inside the stone. This phenomenon creates flashes of orange, red, blue, and green colors.