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  • Dendritic Opal

Dendritic Opal

Opal

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: January 2022
Dendritic Opal Polished Dendritic Opal Rough Dendritic Opal Jewelry
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Dendritic Opal Colors
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

This type of opal features dendrites, which are fern-like inclusions of iron, manganese, or other metallic oxides that create bold patterns within the gem. Typically, dendritic opals are cut into slices to best exhibit nature's artwork. As you might guess, these pieces are one-of-a-kind, as no two dendritic patterns are the same. Usually these opals are white, yellow, blue, green, or pink and show black inclusions well.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Dendritic Opal
Species
Opal
Transparency
Translucent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.370-1.520
Optic Character
NA
Polariscope Reaction
Singly Refractive (SR) With ADR, Aggregate (AGG)
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
5-6.5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
1.980-2.500 Typical:2.150
Toughness
Varies
Inclusions
Dendritic opal has dendritic inclusions that look like moss or ferns. These inclusions are not plant fossils but are instead made of different metallic oxides, like manganese or iron.
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
hydrated silicon dioxide
Chemical Formula
SiO2-nH2O
Crystal System
NA
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Dendritic Opal Colors

  • Multi-color Dendritic Opal
    Multi-color
  • White Dendritic Opal
    White
  • Bi-color Dendritic Opal
    Bi-color

Countries of Origin

United States of America (the); Unknown; Australia; Ethiopia

Care

Normal Care

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