Vernon, British Columbia, Canada Canada’s only producing opal mine is found in the North Okanagan. We are exploring and developing the first precious opal mine in Canada located 25 kms west of Vernon BC. Opal Resources Canada designs, creates and sells the finest of opal products.
Can opal be found anywhere?
Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world’s precious opal and it is our official national gemstone.
Can you find opals in Alberta?
Nontronite and ferruginous opal from the Peace River iron deposit in Alberta, Canada.
Is there opal in Nova Scotia?
Opal from McKay Head, Cumberland Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.
Is there opal in BC?
Precious opals recently found at Klinker, approximately 25 kilometres N-W of Vernon, British Columbia. In British Columbia, common opal occurrences are relatively widespread within Tertiary volcanic rocks (Leaming, 1973), but precious or gem-quality opals are rare.
How far down are opals found?
around 90 feet
Opal is a type of hydrated silica, most of which was formed during the Cretaceous period between 65 -140 million years ago, in an inland sea called The Great Artesian Basin. It occurs to a depth of around 90 feet (30 metres) underground, in veins of about 3 feet (1 metre) called “The Opal Level”.
What rock is opal found in?
Opal is found as two types: volcanic opal which infills vesicles and cracks in igneous rocks, and the more familiar sedimentary or sandstone type which is found in Australia’s main fields. Most deposits in other countries are volcanic opal, much of which is prone to crazing.
Where can I mine opal in Canada?
the North Okanagan
Canada’s only producing opal mine is found in the North Okanagan.
Are there rubies in Canada?
While lacking deposits of traditional gemstones (eg, diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire), Canada can claim a varied assortment of lesser known but appealing gemstones.
Are emeralds found in Canada?
In 1998 a major occurrence of emerald was discovered at Regal Ridge in the southeastern Yukon Territory in northwestern Canada. The mineralogy, geology, and origin of the occurrence are described in Groat et al. (2002).
Is there opal in Manitoba?
Opal from Souris gravel pit, Souris, Manitoba, Canada.
Where is the rarest opal found?
Australia
Like all fine things, gem opal is exceedingly rare. Much of the world’s precious opal is mined in the harsh outback of Australia, where a unique combination of geological conditions permitted the formation of opal near the margins of an ancient inland sea.
Where can I mine opal?
Currently, Australia produces around 95% of the world’s opal for use in the jewellery industry. Other countries in which opal is found in small amounts include Honduras, Mexico, former Czechoslovakia, and Brazil, however these types of opal often differ in appearance.
What gemstones are found in BC Canada?
Gemstones of British Columbia
- Amber. C10H16O+H2S: Amber up to 2.5cm.
- Andalusite. Al2 SiO5+Fe: Chiastolite variety is common in the black schist of the hills of Armstrong.
- Aergillite. A metamorphic rock formed from petilic sediments.
- Barite.
- Beryl.
- Corundum.
- Diamond.
- Feldspars.
Are diamonds found in BC?
Diamonds were reported in samples from Jack (Lens Mountain) and Mark (Valenciennes River) diatremes. A single microdiamond was also reported from a poorly de- scribed breccia within the Xeno carbonatite complex, which is located within the Kechika area.
Where is purple opal found?
central Mexico
Morado opal, also called “purple opal” and “Opal Royale,” is a purple variety of common opal found in central Mexico.
Are opals worth more than diamonds?
Getting your hands on opal is easy, but finding gem-quality opal is another story. Diamonds, on the other hand, fetch a high price even for the most low-quality diamonds. Why is value important? Because the value of most diamonds will be higher than opals, while high-quality opals are rarer than diamonds.
How much is a rock of opal worth?
It can range from $1 to $135 per carat!
There are various factors (or qualities of opal) that determine opal stone worth. The type, brilliance, origin, color, patterns, fire, scarcity, and transparency are significant reasons to bring such a deviation in the price range of this brilliant gemstone.
Do opals glow in the dark?
“That opal actually glows in the dark – the darker the light, the more colour comes out of it, it’s unbelievable.” John Dunstan told ABC. Opals are a form of amorphous hydrated silica with up to 20% water locked within the silica structure.
How do you tell if a rock has opal in it?
If you’re wondering how to identify common opal, the easiest method is a scratch test. Common opals often look similar to other stones like jasper. However, common opal is significantly less durable than most gemstones, ranking at a 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
How do I know if I have an opal rock?
When you view a synthetic opal side-on, its colour structure will present as neatly lined columns, with the pattern appearing in a repeated uniform way through the stone. Genuine opal, when viewed side-on, will appear solid as it is not composed of different layers.