Australian white opals are recognised by their pale white or light body tone. They are sometimes referred too as ‘milky’ or ‘milk’ opals in the industry.Read More
Often found in the South Australian mines of Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintabie, White Opals are closely related to Crystal Opals. The main distinguishable difference between the two is that White Opals are non transparent/translucent. On an Opal Body Tone Chart (N1 being the darkest type of black opal and N9 being the brightest, most transparent type of crystal opal), White Opal is often graded as N6 and N7 body tone.
White opals are one of the more common types of opals. Often, when being cut, the cutter will leave white potch on the back of the opal, however sometimes the colourful parts of the opal will be noticeable all the way around. Whilst most White Opal is known as being affordable due to being so common, some White Opal can be very valuable; depending on the colours, brightness, size and uniqueness of the stone.
