Gem FAQS > Opal > Types of Opals
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Opals are described in several ways, by common name, by their body color, by the play of color and/or their origin.
The body color refers to the color of the background.
- Black opals have a dark body color.
- Fire opals have a yellow to orange color.
- Crystal opals are translucent to transparent.
The play of color refers to the way the colors appear was the opal moves.
- Pinfire opal has tiny little sparkles of color.
- Harlequin opal has broad splotches of different colors.
- Flame Opal has a red sweeping color.
Last updated on March 15, 2009 by Francis M Lynch