Valuing Opals

When determining value of an opal, several factors are involved:

Type of opal

Soundness

Base colour

Fire colour

Colour pattern

Brightness of fire

Background (base) Colour:

Solid precious opal is more valuable than a doublet or triplet, and black opal is more valuable than boulder opal, and so forth. The darker body colour, more valuable gem.

Fire Colour:

The clarity of opals colour is critical when determining value of opal. Opal is graded according to its colour, with red fire being most rare, followed by green/orange, green/blue, blue, and finally, purple. However, brilliance and clarity of colour, along with proportional pattern are main decision makers; a brilliant blue/green opal can cost more than a dull red. An opal displaying a bright “pinfire” pattern can cost more than a cloudy open pattern of similar colouration.

Colour Pattern:

Nearly all opal displays some type of pattern, with no two opals being alike.

The various patterns are:

Harlequin:

The most prized of all nice patterns and its name is derived from its likeness to floral dress material.

Pinfire:

Closely resembles a mass of pinheads in different colours.

Mobile rolling Flash:

Consists of one colour, which travels across part of or all of stone as it is moved.

Palette Pattern:

As name suggests, resembles an artist’s palette.

Soundness:

Opal should be free from cracks and flaws.

OPAL DICTIONARY

TERM

Agitator: Modified cement mixer used to wash dirt away

from precious opal.

Boulder Opal: Formed in cavities and cracks of Ironstone,

usually from Queensland, Australia.

Black Opal: Naturally occurring solid opal with a coloured

face and black backing.

Blower: A large truck mounted vacuum cleaner used to

suck dirt to surface.

Cabochon: The rounded surface of a cut stone.

Online learning has proven itself to be a path to success – but how does one assure a successful online learning experience?

START WITH THE BASICS

The primary difference between online and traditional classroom courses is method of delivery. Online learning covers a wide range of potential formats – from live, real-time webcasts and interactive workshops, to traditional 12-week instructor-led courses to self-contained software in form of CDs or downloadable PDF, Quicktime or Flash files. Deciding best format for you will help you get most out of your education.

Choose Your Format

The first thing to consider is: are you looking for an environment where you interact with an instructor and your fellow students? Or, are you interested in getting information and studying privately - on your own? Or something in between? Do you want a fully-structured course or program, including exams and projects, or do you want to just get information and run with it?

The answer depends on what you are studying and why. If you are a salesperson, and you have a pitch to make on Monday to a major cellular company, it may make sense on Friday to download a three hour course on basics of cellular technology plus an overview course on global telecommunications industry, and plow through it all on a single afternoon. By Monday, you’ll sound like an expert. On other hand, if you are a designer who is revamping your portfolio, you may prefer a 12-week project-oriented course with a lot of teacher and peer interaction and feedback. A couple who is planning to buy their first home may want to “attend” a two-Saturday, live online seminar for first time home buyers, where they have option of asking an expert specific questions about their situation. An executive looking to earn an M.B.A. may want a combination of online and “on-ground” (in a real classroom) courses.

Keep in mind that every online delivery format is utilized differently on your end, and should be chosen to suit your particular needs.

Collect Information about Course and its Instructor Up Front

You will probably find several online courses and/or programs that appear to cover same subject area. How do you choose between them? Start by getting as much information as you can about courses, programs and instructors before you sign up.

Read each individual course description and syllabus carefully to see if a particular course fits your needs. Pay attention to what is required on your end: a broadband connection? specific software applications? Instant messaging?

Read instructor’s bio – long version, if there is one. Google instructor to see what else he or she has done, who they are associated with, awards or recognitions they may have received, and what else they may have published elsewhere. Is this someone who knows what they are teaching? Are they truly an expert? Are they someone you can learn from that you’d like to interact with as a student?