precious opal

Precious opal is a gemstone known for its stunning play of colors, caused by its internal structure of tiny silica spheres arranged in a regular pattern. When light hits these spheres, it diffracts and produces vibrant flashes of color, making each piece unique. This optical effect, called "play-of-color," varies with the size and arrangement of the spheres. Precious opal is valued for its beauty and rarity, often used in jewelry. Its color display can include reds, blues, greens, and other hues, and its appearance changes depending on the angle of viewing.