This page has been validated.
PRECIOUS OPAL.
125
every one. Among the Eastern nations the opal ranks higher than in Europe.
A spurious substance is sometimes sold for black and green opal, and is often set in jewellery; it ocurs of the size of a small almond, but more commonly not larger than a lentil or pea. This precious gem is nothing more than the cartilage of the hinge of a large shell. Glass, and even scoria, having an iridescent appearance, have also often been sold for opal[1].
- ↑ See Appendix.
