Hey gemstone lovers and custom jewelers! I wanted to geek out a bit today about opal patterns. When you're looking at natural solid opals, the structural pattern of the color play dictates almost 80% of the stone's ultimate rarity and value. Here is a quick breakdown of the most famous patterns you'll encounter:

• Pinfire Pattern: This features tiny, closely spaced dots or specks of multi-color flashes scattered across the entire cabochon. It creates a stunning, glittering galaxy effect that looks incredibly alive under movement.


• Broad Flash: Large, sweeping blocks of color that dance across the surface as the stone tilts. A single roll of the wrist can turn the stone from deep green to electric orange.


• Harlequin Pattern: The absolute holy grail of opal patterns. It features distinct, geometric, diamond-shaped patches of color touching each other. It's incredibly rare to find in nature.

If you're a custom maker looking for a certified, premium ethiopian opal with breathtaking natural multi-color pinfire and broad flash patterns, Armonia Gems has some beautiful pieces in stock right now. Their spec transparency makes sourcing a breeze.

Which opal pattern is your absolute favorite to work with when designing custom statement rings or pendants? Let’s hear your thoughts!