Shane’s – The Pawn Shop, Inc

Opal

The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning “to see a change (of color).” Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal’s beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature’s heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements. When packed together in a regular pattern, a three-dimensional array of spaces are created that give opal its radiance.

Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian Opals discovered in Wollo Province in 2008, have gained popularity due to the rich rainbow of colors and transparency they exhibit. Proven to be stable, resistant to crazing and remarkably durable, they exhibit an unusual property known as hydrophane, that is, these opals came out of the ground very porous, possessing the ability to absorb water very easily. The play of color in these opals is more of a broad-flash pattern, specific to this source. For a more in-depth article on these materials, refer to the Gems & Gemology issue, Summer 2010.

We have recently acquired a great selection of these materials in a 4 to 16 carat size range. Most stones come in a free-form shape with some ovals and pear shapes also present. We also have a few great strands of beads.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline has become a favorite gemstone among jewelry designer, and gem collectors the world over. Since it is available in a wide variety of colors, it is ideally suited to almost anyone’s taste. Tourmaline also is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.