Welcome to the most informative yet concise guide for opals on the Internet. In the next fifteen minutes you can learn enough about these mystical colorful gemstones to purchase with absolute confidence, or simply increase your realm of knowledge. Whatever your goal, our mission is to supply you with the most useful information available so you can better appreciate the unique qualities of this most popular gem.

Today, virtually all of the precious opal in the world comes from Australia. Opal is also found in Czechoslovakia (the source for ancient Rome) Mexico, and Honduras.

From the Roman Empire to Queen Elizabeth II, opals have been prized for bearing the color of all gemstones, bringing good fortune to those possessing the fire within. Except for a period in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the opal market collapsed because of its negative representation in Sir Walter Scott's novel, Anne of Geirstein, this beautiful gemstone has reigned as one of the most loved and honored gems in the world. There are many types of opal but only a few varieties contain the play-of-color necessary to qualify as a precious stone. Opal's color is caused by diffraction of light off of tiny silica spheres of gel within the stone.

Take a look at the rest of our opal guide, and enjoy the beauty and glory of these precious stones. We've even put together a handy buyer's checklist for you. Simply print the page and take it along on your opal shopping adventure.