Matrix opal is a treated opal that comes from in Australia.
The opal usually has no color unless it is treated. There are a few different processes. One process is the opal is boiled in sugar to bring out the color in the stone.
Matrix opal usually has no depth and you cannot see through it.
Don’t mistake matrix opal with black opal because the price difference is massive. Matrix opal will not be worth anywhere near the price of a black opal.
The way matrix opal is treated gives the stone a lesser value because it has been treated and is not natural. Matrix opal can be very pretty and is still considered a gemstone.
Boulder Matrix is another type of opal that is not treated and has small deposits of opal color in the ironstone giving the opal a look similar to Andamooka Matrix.
The proper matrix that we understand comes from Andamooka and is usually colorless until it has been treated.
I have seen people who wanted to invest in black opal, buying matrix opal thinking it was black opal and spending a lot of money on something that is not worth what they paid.
For more information on opal cutting or purchasing opal. Please email blackopalsdirect@live.com or you can call me on Skype My username is Blackopaldirect and it’s free!
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