Opal
Black opal photographed by Daniel Mekis.
Web Resources
Galleries.com - Opal
Minerals.net - Opal, the mineral
Minerals.net - Opal, the Gemstone
Mindat.org - Opal (scroll down to bottom for opal mines worldwide map)
GIA - Opal Quality Factors
Australian Opals
Famous Opals
MacsOpals.com
Famous Opals
The Olympic Australis
Oplesdownunder.com - Famous Opals
History of Opals
Opalsdownunder.com - opal history
Birthdaygems.org - History of Opal
Emily Gems - Opal History & Types
Opal Types
The National Opal.com
Geology.com - Opal (fantastic photos of different opal types)
Galleries.com - Opal
Minerals.net - Opal, the mineral
Minerals.net - Opal, the Gemstone
Mindat.org - Opal (scroll down to bottom for opal mines worldwide map)
GIA - Opal Quality Factors
Australian Opals
Famous Opals
MacsOpals.com
Famous Opals
The Olympic Australis
Oplesdownunder.com - Famous Opals
History of Opals
Opalsdownunder.com - opal history
Birthdaygems.org - History of Opal
Emily Gems - Opal History & Types
Opal Types
The National Opal.com
Geology.com - Opal (fantastic photos of different opal types)
Gemstones Course
Lesson #5 Videos
Lesson #5 Videos
Projects & Activities
Do a research project on any of the following opal topics listed below. In addition to the links given next to each topic below, you can additionally use the web resources above from the appropriate chosen topic.
Opal Topics for a Research Project
Famous opals - Gemselect.com - The Famous Flame Queen & other famous opals
Opal as the October birthstone - Earthsky.org - Opal as October's birthstone
Opal mining (see videos below) - Australian Mines Atlas
Opal jewelry making (see videos below) - Opalmine.com - Opal Cutting & Polishing
Imitation or Faux Opal Jewelry making - ResinObsession.com
Opals in Ancient Legend and Lore - Crystal Vaults.com - Opal Meaning and Use
After you select your preferred topic(s), decide on how you want to show case your work. You can use any of the following suggestions:
- PowerPoint
- Written report illustrated throughout
- Poster
- Photo collage
- Home video
- Painting
- Clay model
- Make imitation or natural opal jewelry (can order natural opal reasonably priced from places like Amazon, eBay. Do your research). See below videos for resin imitation opal making.
- Go opal mining if you can.
- Photograph opals at rock and mineral shows or stores (with permission of seller).
Video Tutorials
Informative Videos
CHECK OUT: Blackopaldirect's You Tube Channel
(TONS UPON TONS MORE VIDEOS ABOUT OPALS)
(TONS UPON TONS MORE VIDEOS ABOUT OPALS)