How Do Opals Form?

What is Opal?

Chemically speaking, opal is a form of hydrated silica, with the chemical formula SiO₂ · nH₂O. Unlike most gemstones, opal isn’t crystalline. That means the silica doesn’t form in a nice, neat crystal structure. Instead, it forms as microscopic, amorphous spheres. Think of opal micro-structure as more like balls of yarn than interlocking toy bricks.

In gem-quality opal, the play of color arises from silica spheres with a uniform size and closely packed structure. Common opal or “potch,” in contrast, has silica spheres with a wide range of sizes jumbled together.

Under What Conditions do Opals Form?

Like any gemstone, opals need specific ingredients and geological conditions to form. In this case, there needs to be dissolved silica that comes out of solution and forms opal. First, water filters into the ground and dissolves quartz sand, becoming a silicic acid solution.

There are several theories about what happens next.

The most widely accepted theory involves seasonal changes to the groundwater table. According to this theory, groundwater near the surface evaporates seasonally, allowing a thin layer of opal to form in pores and seams in the rock. Over time, opal grows in these spaces in near-surface…

Addison Rice

A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison's interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth's geological processes began in her elementary school's environmental club. When she isn't writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.

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