Opal books?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Anyone,

I have read Downing’s books and Eckert’s books on opal. They’re
good! I am trying to find an opal book that is intensive on
regarding color patterns. I heard that “A Field guide
to Australian Opals” by Barrie O’Leary is intensive on the subject.
True? Is the old book by Tullie Wollaston “Opal: Gem of the Never
Never” good? I’m really interested in locating these or any other
opal referneces that are intensive on rare patterns, rare varieties,
and detail of some of the mines. Any place I can find these?

Thanks…
Blaine

2

Dear Charles

   I have read Downing's books and Eckert's books on opal. 
They're good!  I am trying to find an opal book that is intensive
on regarding color patterns.  I heard that "A Field
guide to Australian Opals" by Barrie O'Leary is intensive on the
subject.

Being an opaloholic myself I have quite some litterature about the
subject. Barrie O-Leary’s field guide supplies a lot of information
about the mines, whereas Len Cram’s Beautiful Australian Opals, A
Field Guide, ISBN No. 1-86273-050-4, from 1994 has a lot of
wondeerful opals and also some explanation of the various types of
Opal. Have fun and enjoy

Kind regards
Niels L=F8vschal, Rutsker, Denmark, wheere spring is eventually coming
@L_F8vschal

3

You should be able to find O’Leary quite readily on one of the old
book s ites like www.alibris.com. He goes rather deeply into the
pattern issue. Some excellent photos of rare patterns. Most
professionals, especially Australians don’t think much of his book.
Wollaston is very difficult t o find and expensive. Loenick is short
but very good. There are also a few beautiful picture books
published in Australia, one by Len Cram, that you should be able to
find in Books in Print at your local bookshop.

There are several interesting articles in Gems & Gemology including
my ow n; “Queensland Boulder Opal”, Wise, R. W., Spring, 1993. “Opal
from Shew a province, Ethiopia”, Johnson, et. al. Summer 1996 and a
couple of other s you will have to look up.

Don’t know where your specific interest lie, but this should help.

Richard

4

One of my favorite books on opals is “Australian Precious Opal, A
Guide Book for Professionals” by Andrew Cody. ISBN 0 646 016 8. It
was first published in 1991 in Australia. This book has a wealth of
photos of the huge range of color and pattern in opals.

Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com