Black Opal
A variety of 'Precious Opal' [Opal]
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Black Opal
Formula:
SiO2 · nH2O
Name:
The origin of the word "opal" is uncertain. It may be from the Sanskrit "upala", meaning "stone" or "precious stone" or from opalus, the ancient Latin name for the gem (Pliny the Elder, 75-79). Pliny may have also referred to the gem as paederos, but a modern commentary by Kostov (2008) questions if that name was actually applied to the opal in the modern sense.
The most precious kind of opal, this variety of precious opal has a dark background colour.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Black Opal.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Black Opal.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7998 (as Black Opal)
3004 (as Opal)
3004 (as Opal)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7998:9 (as Black Opal)
mindat:1:1:3004:1 (as Opal)
mindat:1:1:3004:1 (as Opal)
Chemistry of Black Opal
Mindat Formula:
SiO2 · nH2O
Elements listed:
Synonyms of Black Opal
Other Language Names for Black Opal
Simplified Chinese:黑蛋白石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Precious Opal' | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 8 photos of Black Opal associated with Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 5 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Honey Opal' | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 4 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Harlequin Opal' | |
| 2 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Red Flash Opal' | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 2 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Claystone' | |
| 2 photos of Black Opal associated with 'Petrified Wood' | |
| 1 photo of Black Opal associated with 'Sandstone' |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Black Opal
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7998.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Black Opal
Reference List:
Jones, J. B., Segnit, E. R. (1971) The nature of opal I. nomenclature and constituent phases. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia, 18 (1) 57-68 doi:10.1080/00167617108728743
Localities for Black Opal
Showing 48 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Virgin Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA