The noble opal is an incredible gem. Its shimmering colors change depending on the angle of view, the light and can be declined according to the colors of the rainbow. There are opals known as white opals, whose basic hue is white or milky, or opals known as black opals, which have a much darker basic hue. The so-called "Harlequin" opal has a white or translucent base, with vivid plays of all colors, while others may have a color that will predominate the play of colors. Provenances vary : the most famous is undoubtedly the noble opal from Australia, largely overtaken nowadays by opals from Ethiopia with wider and more spread out color sets.
Opals that do not have color sets are called "common".
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