Abstract
EARLIER work on the structure of opal1 has shown that precious opal, and probably most ‘amorphous’ opals with the notable exception of hyalites, are composed of silica spheres 1500–3000 Å in diameter. It was further suggested that the presence of these spheres may reflect a genetic difference from the majority of crystalline opals, which have a different gross structure.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
199,00 € per year
only 3,90 € per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jones, J. B., Sanders, J. V., and Segnit, E. R., Nature, 204, 990 (1964).
White, D. E., Brannock, W. W., and Murate, K. J., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta., 10, 27 (1956).
Iler, R. K., The Colloid Chemistry of Silica and Silicates (Cornell, Ithaca, 1955).
Bechtold, M. F., and Snyder, O. E., quoted in ref. 3.
Radczewski, O. E., and Richter, H., Kolloid-Z., 96, 1 (1941).
Robertson, R. H. S., Cement, Lime and Gravel, 38, 112 (1963).
Whitehouse, F. W., Univ. Queensland Dept. Geol. Papers, n.s.2, 2 (1940).
Morrison, M., Ann. Rep. Dept. Mines New S. Wales for 1919, 173 (1920).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
JONES, J., BIDDLE, J. & SEGNIT, E. Opal Genesis. Nature 210, 1353–1354 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2101353a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2101353a0
This article is cited by
-
DSC of natural opal: insights into the incorporation of crystallisable water in the opal microstructure
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (2020)