What Are the Uses of the Mineral Opal?
opal image by Stephanie Bandmann from Fotolia.com jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery(‘#jsArticleStep1 span.image a:first’).attr(‘href’,’http://i.ehow.co.uk/images/a06/r5/1s/uses-mineral-opal_-1.1-800X800.jpg’); }); Opals are mined in North America, Africa, Europe and Australia. The mineral opal is not used industrially but has great value as a gemstone. In scientific terms, opal is considered a mineraloid because the structure is not truly crystalline. Opals are heat-sensitive, break easier than other minerals and must be stored in damp, cotton wool to avoid brittleness, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. These characteristics, however, do not detract from their value as a colorful gemstone that can be worth more than diamonds. Opals contain oxygen and silica, which give them an opalescent beauty through diffracting light. Religious Practices Precious Mexican Supreme Opal image by Mexgems from Fotolia.com jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery(‘#jsArticleStep1 span.imag
