Looking into a Peruvian Pink Opal is like looking into a pink cloud with tiny raindrops of color. The opal is celebrated for its spectacle of rainbow-like hues, which vary with lighting or angle of observation.
The name opal evolved from the Roman word "opalus" which traces its roots from the Greek's "opallios," meaning to see a change of color. This Greek word is likewise a revision of the ancient Indian Sanskrit's "upala," which means precious stone. The development of this gemstone started millions of years ago when a mixture of silica and water flowed into cracks and holes in the ground. Over time, it hardened and solidified to turn into opal. Some opals are hydrophanes, meaning that they can soak up water like a sponge. When hydrated, the stone becomes more translucent and the play of colors more defined. In most cases, a frolic of magnificent hues covers the entire opal. The very finest varieties reveal dazzling patterns that are popular among jewelers all over the globe. A fashion favorite, there is high demand for this pretty pink gemstone, seldom seen in jewelry stores. The pink opal gets its color from included organic compounds known as quinones. The opal displays a range from opaque to translucent, based on the cut. Peruvian opals may show fern-like dendritic inclusions.
LOCATION: Peru
This stunning pastel pink gemstone is mined in the Andes near San Patricio, Peru. These stones are naturally pink and do not go through color treatment to enhance their color.