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ABOUT OPAL PATTERNS
The unique patterns of precious opal:
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Precious opal shows some kind of unique pattern. As no opal is ever exactly the same, the patterns vary widely. The fire colours within the opal are arranged to show a variety of patterns. Each pattern has is own amazing feature. Patterns are rare and add greatly to the value of the opal. Several have been given names to represent the individual patterns. Some opals have patterns which remain unnamed. Most opal patterns can be combined with other patterns i.e. an opal can have a Blue Flagstone Harlequin pattern or a Green Chaff Harlequin pattern etc.
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We have listed some of the well known patterns below:
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Harlequin pattern:
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Is the most prized of all patterns and is very rare. It is the most sought after of all opal patterns. Harlequin patterns are an exceedingly valuable design for the opal.
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Description: Showing a regular mosaic-like chromatic pattern that shows a sparkly, spangled appearance. The colour patches can be a variety of shapes, some with rounded patches, some square or other shapes such as hexagonal and diamond (as in the harlequin clown costume).
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Harlequin patterns are sub-categorized into individually named Harlequin patterns, we have listed some below:
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1. Asteria Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing like a windmill, which elongated colour units radiating to the edges of the opal from a central point on the opal. This is a very unique and very rare pattern. A collectors dream.
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2. Blue Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing a blue hue of colour in a Harlequin pattern as described above, i.e. showing a regular mosaic-like chromatic pattern that shows a sparkly, spangled appearance. The colour patches can be a variety of shapes, some with rounded patches, some square or other shapes such as hexagonal and diamond (as in the harlequin clown costume).
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3. Chequerboard Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Appearing like a chequerboard, with square colour units regularly arranged to show like a chequerboard. Extremely rare.
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4. Cloverleaf Harlequin pattern:�
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Description: A fascinating pattern showing numerous cloverleaf-shaped colour units scattered over the opal similar to a field of clover. A beautiful and rare pattern.
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5. Fishscale Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Resembling colour units looking as if they are over lapping similar to fish scales.
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6. Flag Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing like three-cornered flagstone paving. The patches of colour are, like the Flagstone Harlequin, placed closely together to form a definite pattern, appearing similar to three-cornered flagstone paving. This pattern is very rare.
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7. Flagstone Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing like flagstone paving. The pattern resembles that of irregular shaped flagstones placed closely together to form a definite pattern, appearing similar to flagstone paving. This is a truly rare pattern and holds great value. It is a most sought after pattern for the opal collector.
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8. Floral Harlequin pattern:
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Description: showing as a splashy effect of units, similar to the bright floral patterns of dress materials or to bunches of flowers. Groups of three or more colour units combine to make up a flower. The Floral Harlequin pattern covers a broad range of design and colour. This is a pretty and very rare pattern."
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9. Green Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing a green hue of colour in a Harlequin pattern as described above, i.e. showing a regular mosaic-like chromatic pattern that shows a sparkly, spangled appearance. The colour patches can be a variety of shapes, some with rounded patches, some square or other shapes such as hexagonal and diamond (as in the harlequin clown costume).
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10. Hexagonal Harlequin pattern:
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Description:� Showing interlocking hexagonal shped units of colour in the typical Harlequin pattern i.e. showing a regular mosaic-like chromatic pattern that shows a sparkly, spangled appearance. This pattern is extremely rare.
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11. Palette Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing colour units spaced apart like splashes or patches of paint on an artist�s palette.� ��
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12. Square Harlequin pattern:
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Description: Showing colour units that are squarish in shape.
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Chaff pattern:
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Description: Each colour unit is displaying several parallel lines or bands whose appearance is likened to chopped chaff, bundled together. This pattern is apparent in several of the harlequin patterns.
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Chinese Writing pattern:
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Description: As the name suggest, the colour units are presenting similar to Chinese writing, typically slashed across each other to form Chinese calligraphy.
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Exploding Flash pattern:
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Description: Showing an explosive flash of colour appearing to explode outwards from the opal as it is moved.
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Flame pattern:
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Description: Showing like a glowing log fire with bright units of colour appearing like flames, radiating from the opal with a continual glowing action as it is moved.
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Flash of Fire pattern:
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Description: Another term used to describe a Flame pattern.
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Golden pattern:
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Description: Typically showing an orange, yellow play-of-colour or and orange, yellow or golden base / background colour.
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Grass pattern:
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Description: Similar to the Chaff pattern but typically having several thinner parallel lines or bands whose appearance is likened to blades of grass.
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Iris pattern:
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Description: Showing irisations appearing as a sheen of colour. Can be likened to the iris of an eye.
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Mackerel Sky pattern:
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Description: Showing similar to a sunset�i.e. colourful clouds laying horizontally to the horizon. Continuous bands of colour all displaying a very similar show. Mimicking each other as the opal is moved.
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Moss pattern:
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Description: Showing a dispersed sheen of colour likened to a moss garden.
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Pinfire pattern:
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Description: Showing pin-point specks of colour aligned closely to each other. Typically having a sparkly appearance. Can be likened to a night sky fill with numerous stars (also called a Twinkle pattern).
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Peacock tail pattern:
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Description: Showing colour units arranged in the design of a peacocks tail. Very rare and valuable.
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Ribbon pattern:
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Description: Showing parallel lines or ribbons of colour with alternating colours. Bands of colour lying side by side.
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Rolling Flash pattern:
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Description: Showing a colour flash that travels across colour units within the opal or across from one sideof the opal to the other (called a Broad Rolling Flash).
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Scotch Plaid pattern:
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Description: Showing a green-blue effect which has brilliant colour and of exceptional beauty. Likened to a tartan fabric.
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Straw pattern:
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Description: Showing a similar design as the Grass Pattern with flat straws irregularly overlapping each other.
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