Glossary

Opal

Opal is a gemstone whose chemical composition is an amorphous, gelatinous, hydrous silica containing varying degrees of water and traces of metal oxides. The opal called fire opal is often carved, engraved or faceted.

There are two varieties of opal : the iridescent precious opal, known also as the noble opal, and the milky white common opal.

See also:
"Opal" is in the UNSPSC Code "54121603"
Opal gemstones

Ref: 123977/2006-10-18


Other Database Pages Exist for this Phrase:
Chemical (A chemical substance is any material with a ...)
Nopalitos (Nopalitos refers to a small strips from the ...)

You have no rights to post comments

Related Articles

Compound ■■■■■■■
In an industrial context, a compound is a substance that is made up of two or more elements that are . . . Read More
Valve ■■■■■■
A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, . . . Read More
Material ■■■■■■
Material is anything which consists of one or more substances which are intentionally used to form another . . . Read More
Zinc oxide ■■■■■
Zinc oxide with chemical symbol ZnO, is described as an amorphous white powder used as a pigment in plastics. . . . Read More
Gemstone ■■■■■
Gemstone (Gem) is described as precious or semiprecious stone that may be used as a jewel when cut and . . . Read More
Amorphous ■■■■■
In condensed matter physics and materials science, an amorphous (from the Greek a, "without", and morphé, . . . Read More
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ■■■■■
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a surface sensitive analytic tool used to study the surface . . . Read More
Photoelectron ■■■■■
A photoelectron in the industrial context refers to an electron that is emitted from a material (usually . . . Read More
Blending ■■■■■
Blending refers to the process of combining multiple materials or substances together to produce a desired . . . Read More
Formulation ■■■■■
In the industrial context, formulation refers to the process of creating or developing a precise mixture, . . . Read More