Is all precious opal expensive?

Not necessarily. While generally more valuable than common opal, the value of precious opal depends heavily on the brightness, pattern, and range of its play-of-color, its body tone, and its carat weight and cut.

What causes the play-of-color in precious opal?

It is caused by the diffraction of light through a regular arrangement of microscopic silica spheres within the gem's structure.

Can 'precious opal' be used as an adjective?

No, it is a compound noun. You would say 'a precious opal necklace', not 'a necklace made of precious opal material'.

What is the most famous source of precious opal?

Australia, particularly Lightning Ridge (for black opal) and Coober Pedy (for white opal), is the most famous historical source, though Ethiopia is now a major producer.

Is “precious opal” formal?

Precious opal is usually formal, technical, descriptive in register.

How do you pronounce “precious opal”?

Precious opal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpreʃəs ˈəʊp(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɛʃəs ˈoʊp(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

precious opal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low (specialist/gemological/collector context)

UK/ˈpreʃəs ˈəʊp(ə)l/US/ˈprɛʃəs ˈoʊp(ə)l/

Formal, technical, descriptive

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “precious opal” mean?

A type of opal that exhibits a play of color (opalescence), showing flashes of various colors as it is turned, distinguishing it from common opal which does not display this effect.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A type of opal that exhibits a play of color (opalescence), showing flashes of various colors as it is turned, distinguishing it from common opal which does not display this effect.

Refers to the valuable, gem-quality variety of opal prized in jewelry and collecting. It can metaphorically describe something rare, beautiful, and exhibiting changing qualities.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. Usage is identical in both technical and general gemological contexts.

Connotations

Connotes rarity, value, and beauty equally in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to gemology, jewelry, and mineral collecting.

Grammar

How to Use “precious opal” in a Sentence

[to be] made/set/cut from precious opal[to] display/exhibit the characteristics of precious opal[to] classify/identify something as precious opal[to] mine/extract/find precious opal

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

black precious opalwhite precious opalAustralian precious opalfire opal (a type)crystal precious opalmatrix precious opal

medium

specimen of precious opalcabochon of precious opalpiece of precious opalmine precious opalplay of color in precious opal

weak

beautiful precious opalrare precious opalvaluable precious opalgenuine precious opalnatural precious opal

Examples

Examples of “precious opal” in a Sentence

noun

British English

The jeweller specialised in sourcing Australian black precious opal.
This specimen is clearly a precious opal, not the common variety.

American English

The museum's new acquisition is a stunning piece of precious opal from Nevada.
He invested in a parcel of rough precious opal from Ethiopia.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in the gem and jewelry trade to specify the quality and type of opal being bought or sold.

Academic

Used in geology, mineralogy, and gemology to classify a specific variety of the mineraloid opal.

Everyday

Used by collectors, jewelers, or in descriptive contexts when discussing gemstones.

Technical

Precise term in gemological reports, auction catalogs, and scientific descriptions of minerals.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “precious opal”

Strong

play-of-color opal

Neutral

gem opalnoble opal

Weak

colorful opalshimmering opaliridescent opal

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “precious opal”

common opalpotch opal

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “precious opal”

Using 'precious opal' to describe any valuable opal, rather than specifically one displaying play-of-color. Confusing it with 'fire opal', which is a specific type of precious opal known for its orange body color. Capitalizing it as a proper noun (it is not).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Not necessarily. While generally more valuable than common opal, the value of precious opal depends heavily on the brightness, pattern, and range of its play-of-color, its body tone, and its carat weight and cut.
: It is caused by the diffraction of light through a regular arrangement of microscopic silica spheres within the gem's structure.
: No, it is a compound noun. You would say 'a precious opal necklace', not 'a necklace made of precious opal material'.
: Australia, particularly Lightning Ridge (for black opal) and Coober Pedy (for white opal), is the most famous historical source, though Ethiopia is now a major producer.
: A type of opal that exhibits a play of color (opalescence), showing flashes of various colors as it is turned, distinguishing it from common opal which does not display this effect.
: Precious opal is usually formal, technical, descriptive in register.
: Precious opal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpreʃəs ˈəʊp(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɛʃəs ˈoʊp(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[Rare] A precious opal among stones – meaning something uniquely beautiful among ordinary things.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'PRECIOUS stones show a PRECIOUS (diverse, beautiful) range of colors.' Only the precious kind has the 'precious' play of colour.

Conceptual Metaphor

A 'precious opal' can metaphorically represent something with hidden, shifting depths of beauty or character that reveal themselves under different conditions.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The key feature that defines a opal is its characteristic play-of-color.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary distinguishing feature of 'precious opal'?