Harlequin Pattern

Harlequin opal is a type of precious opal that displays a distinct pattern of squares or diamonds across its surface, forming a repeating pattern. The pattern is made up of patches of different colours, which can range from bright reds and oranges to blues and greens.

The name "harlequin" comes from the diamond-shaped pattern's resemblance to the costume of the Harlequin character in traditional Italian comedy.

Harlequin opal is highly sought after by collectors and jewellery designers for its rarity and unique beauty. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, and is considered one of the rarest and most valuable types of opal.

The value of harlequin opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours, as well as the size and quality of the pattern. Pieces with a larger, more vivid, and more evenly distributed pattern are generally more valuable.

Pinfire Pattern

Pinfire opal is a type of precious opal that displays a pattern of small, bright dots of colour across its surface, resembling pinpoints of light. These dots can be a single colour or multiple colours, and can be distributed in a regular or irregular pattern.

Pinfire opal is found in various types of opal, including white opal, black opal, boulder opal, and crystal opal, and is often cut into cabochons to showcase the pattern and colour of the stone. It is typically found in Australia, Mexico, and the United States, but can also be found in other parts of the world.

The value of pinfire opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours, as well as its overall quality and transparency. Pieces with a more intense and evenly distributed pattern, as well as those with fewer inclusions or imperfections, are generally more valuable. Pinfire opals with rare or unusual colour combinations can also be particularly valuable to collectors and jewellery designers.

Ribbon Pattern

Ribbon opal is a type of precious opal that displays a pattern of thin bands of colour that run parallel to each other across the surface of the stone. The bands can be of various widths and colours, and may also exhibit a play of colour, which is the appearance of flashes of different colours as the stone is moved.

Ribbon opal is typically found in black opal, which is a type of opal that has a dark body tone that enhances the play of colour. It is found primarily in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, which is known for producing some of the world's finest black opals.

The value of ribbon opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours and play of colour, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more vibrant and evenly distributed pattern of colour, as well as those with larger and more frequent flashes of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of black opal also contributes to its value.

Flame Pattern

Flame opal is a type of precious opal that displays a pattern of wavy lines that resemble flames. The lines can be of various colours and thicknesses and often exhibit a play of colour, which is the appearance of flashes of different colours as the stone is moved.

Flame opal is typically found in white opal, which is a type of opal that has a light or white body tone that enhances the colours and patterns in the stone. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Coober Pedy and Mintabie mines of South Australia.

The value of flame opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours and play of colour, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more vibrant and evenly distributed pattern of colour, as well as those with larger and more frequent flashes of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality flame opals also contributes to their value.

Peacock Pattern

Peacock opal is a type of precious opal that displays a range of colours that resemble the iridescent feathers of a peacock. The colours can include green, blue, purple, and yellow, and often exhibit a play of colour, which is the appearance of flashes of different colours as the stone is moved.

Peacock opal is typically found in black opal, which is a type of opal that has a dark body tone that enhances the play of colour. It is found primarily in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, which is known for producing some of the world's finest black opals.

The value of peacock opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours and play of colour, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more vibrant and evenly distributed pattern of colour, as well as those with larger and more frequent flashes of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality black opals also contributes to their value. Peacock opals are highly sought after by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and beautiful colors.

Honeycomb Pattern

Honeycomb opal is a type of precious opal that displays a pattern of hexagonal or honeycomb-shaped cells that are filled with colourful opal. The cells can be of various sizes and colours and often exhibit a play of colour, which is the appearance of flashes of different colours as the stone is moved.

Honeycomb opal is typically found in white opal, which is a type of opal that has a light or white body tone that enhances the colours and patterns in the stone. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Mintabie and Coober Pedy mines of South Australia.

The value of honeycomb opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours and play of colour, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more vibrant and evenly distributed pattern of colour, as well as those with larger and more frequent flashes of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality honeycomb opals also contributes to their value. Honeycomb opals are highly sought after by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and striking pattern.

Picture Pattern

Picture opal is a type of precious opal that displays a distinctive pattern or image within the stone. The pattern or image can be a landscape, a portrait, an animal, or any other recognizable object or scene. The pattern or image is created by the play of colour within the stone, which gives the appearance of different colours forming shapes and patterns.

Picture opal is typically found in white opal, which is a type of opal that has a light or white body tone that enhances the colours and patterns in the stone. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge mines.

The value of picture opal depends on the intensity and clarity of the pattern or image, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more recognizable and aesthetically pleasing pattern or image, as well as those with a larger and more vibrant play of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality picture opals also contributes to their value. Picture opals are highly prized by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and beautiful patterns.

Floral Pattern

Floral opal is a type of precious opal that displays a pattern of flowers or floral motifs within the stone. The pattern is created by the play of colour within the stone, which gives the appearance of different colours forming shapes and patterns.

Floral opal is typically found in white opal, which is a type of opal that has a light or white body tone that enhances the colours and patterns in the stone. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge mines.

The value of floral opal depends on the intensity and clarity of the floral pattern, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more recognizable and aesthetically pleasing floral pattern, as well as those with a larger and more vibrant play of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality floral opals also contributes to their value. Floral opals are highly prized by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and beautiful patterns.

Neon-Flash Pattern

Neon flash opal is a type of precious opal that exhibits intense and vibrant flashes of colour. The play of colour within the stone is particularly bright and neon-like, with vivid colours that can include green, blue, orange, and pink. The colours can be seen from a distance and are particularly striking when viewed in direct sunlight.

Neon flash opal is typically found in black opal, which is a type of opal that has a dark body tone that enhances the play of colour. It is found primarily in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, which is known for producing some of the world's finest black opals.

The value of neon flash opal depends on the intensity and distribution of its colours and play of colour, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more vibrant and evenly distributed pattern of colour, as well as those with larger and more frequent flashes of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality black opals also contributes to their value. Neon flash opals are highly sought after by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and stunning colors

Jig Saw (Puzzle) Pattern

Jigsaw opal, also known as puzzle opal, is a type of precious opal that exhibits a pattern resembling the interlocking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The pattern is created by the play of colour within the stone, which gives the appearance of different colours forming shapes and patterns that fit together like puzzle pieces.

Jigsaw opal is typically found in white opal, which is a type of opal that has a light or white body tone that enhances the colours and patterns in the stone. It is found primarily in Australia, particularly in the Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge mines.

The value of jigsaw opal depends on the intensity and clarity of the puzzle pattern, as well as the size and overall quality of the stone. Pieces with a more recognizable and aesthetically pleasing puzzle pattern, as well as those with a larger and more vibrant play of colour, are generally more valuable. The rarity of high-quality jigsaw opals also contributes to their value. Jigsaw opals are highly prized by collectors and jewellery designers for their unique and intricate patterns.