White Opal & Crystal Opal
Coober Pedy white opal and Australian crystal opal varieties - characteristics, quality grades, and market position.
australia opal white-opal crystal-opal coober-pedy
Introduction
White opal represents the majority of Australian opal production,
with Coober Pedy in South Australia being the largest opal mining
area in the world. While less valuable than black opal, fine white
and crystal opal display beautiful play-of-colour at accessible prices.
Coober Pedy White Opal
The world's largest opal field:
Source
- Location: Coober Pedy, South Australia
- Discovery: 1915; major production since 1940s
- Status: World's largest opal mining area
- Name: Aboriginal "kupa piti" (white man's hole)
- Climate: Underground mining escapes desert heat
Characteristics
- Body colour: White to light grey (N7-N9)
- Play-of-colour: All colours possible
- Volume: Vast majority of Australian production
- Quality range: Commercial to fine
White Opal Quality
Quality factors in white opal:
Body Tone
- N7-N9 on body tone scale
- Lighter background than black opal
- Less contrast for play-of-colour
- Some prefer softer aesthetic
Play-of-Colour
- Brightness: Key value determinant
- Coverage: Full face coverage ideal
- Colours: Full spectrum more valuable
- Red presence: Adds significant premium
- Pattern: Similar patterns to black opal
Crystal Opal
Transparent to translucent opal variety:
Characteristics
- Body: Transparent to translucent
- Play-of-colour: Visible through body
- Sources: Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, others
- Effect: Depth and dimension to colour display
Black Crystal
- Dark transparent body
- Exceptional light transmission
- Shows play-of-colour with depth
- Premium variety; rare
Light Crystal
- Clear to light grey body
- More common than black crystal
- Beautiful depth effects
- Good value option
Other Australian Opal Sources
Additional white and light opal production:
Andamooka
- South Australian field
- Matrix opal notable
- Some treated (sugar-acid)
- Variable quality
Mintabie
- Northern South Australia
- Quality approaching black opal
- Limited production
- Collector interest
White Cliffs
- Historic NSW deposit
- First major Australian opal field
- Limited current production
- Historic significance
Quality Grading
| Grade | Brightness | Body Tone | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gem | Brilliant | N7-N8 | High |
| Fine | Bright | N7-N9 | Medium-High |
| Good | Moderate | N8-N9 | Medium |
| Commercial | Subdued | N9 | Accessible |
Market Position
White and crystal opal in the market:
- Accessibility: Wide price range available
- Volume: Most common Australian opal type
- Fine quality: Can command good prices
- Crystal premium: Good crystal opal valued
- Fashion jewellery: Major market segment
- Treatment note: Some material treated (doublets, triplets)