Thought to be derived from the word "ophthalmos," meaning the eye. Opal was once believed to cure diseases of the eye, and have the power to render its wearer invisible.

VARIETIES, QUALITIES & ORIGINS
Opal comes in a wide array of types, colors, and appearances. In most varieties, the key value factor is the phenomenal "play-of-color" or iridescent rainbow colors caused by the intricate structure within the opal. The most valuable opals feature intense "play-of-color" patterns with flashes of red, orange, and yellow, in addition to green, blue and violet. White opals are plentiful, and fine quality black opals are rare and valuable. Some opals, such as fire opal, are actually faceted to display their beauty. There are also boulder and crystal opals. Early opals were mined in Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Opals today are principally mined in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, The United States, Honduras, Indonesia, Poland, and Tanzania.

GEMSTONE ENHANCEMENTS
The "play-of-color" in opal can be intensified through the use of dyes, oil, wax, plastic, and carbonized sugar solution.

Tourmaline has been used in science because it can develop and electrical vibration and builds up an electrical charge when heated. The Dutch called tourmaline "ashentrekers" for they used the gem crystals to draw ashes from their pipes.

VARIETIES, QUALITIES & ORIGINS
Tourmaline comes in the widest array of colors of any colored gemstone. the most valuable shades include the vibrant, greenish-blue "Paraiba," to deep rich greens reminiscent of emerald, to pink, purple, orange, and yellow. Tourmaline is also known for displaying several colors in the same gem such as "bi-color" or "tri-color" gems, and even what is called "watermelon" with green and pink hues in combination.

GEMSTONE ENHANCEMENTS
Most tourmaline is commonly subjected to enhancement by heat and / or irradiation as a normal part of the fashioning process to improve its color. Generally, no special care is required.