El ópalo (opal) es un mineraloide del grupo IX (Silicatos, Tectosilicatos), según la clasificación de Strunz relacionado con los cuarzos, aunque no es un cuarzo, y que se caracteriza por su brillo y astillabilidad.

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(For other uses, see Opal (disambiguation).)("Opals" redirects here. For other uses, see Opals (disambiguation).)\nOpal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·nH2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Because of its amorphous character, it is classed as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms of silica, which are classed as minerals. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl, and basalt. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia. The internal structure of precious opal makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed, it can take on many colors. Precious opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the black opals are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. It varies in optical density from opaque to semitransparent.

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