Grading Pattern and Color in Opal

by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG on October 31, 2009

Ribbon Pattern in Brazilian Opal

Ribbon Pattern in Brazilian Opal

In our latest post to the Mardon blog, we discuss the classification/grading/description of the various play of color patterns in precious opal, focusing on the main pattern types, Pinfire, Flash, and Harlequin. Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we show more than tell. Here are a few morsels, photos that we didn’t use, to whet your appetite.

Rolling Flash and Chaff pattern in Lightning Ridge Black

Rainbow Pattern and Colors in Lightning Ridge Grey

Rainbow Flash Pattern in Lightning Ridge Grey

Pinfire and Snakes in Lightning Ridge Black

Harlequin Pattern in Lightning Ridge Black

Harlequin Pattern in Lightning Ridge Black

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • TwitThis
  • Yahoo! Buzz

{ 0 comments… add one now }

Leave a Comment

You can use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>