This stone, also known as Dendritic “Opal,” is a translucent whitish-gray agate named after the Greek word for tree (dendron), which is found with dark inclusions of iron or manganese on its surface. The Dendritic opal can be found in a variety of locations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Bunny Bedi, the owner and designer of Made In Earth, describes his first experience with this Australian gem. Dendritic Opal is one of our favorite gemstones and is an original and popular gemstone in the Made in Earth collection. The density of dingrites is defined as a fractal – a self-similar pattern – that is the same whether near or far. Let’s explore the possible origins of this stunning mineral and discover what makes it so special.Īustralian Dendritic Opal contains a variety of minerals, including opaque white common Opal, translucent grey, colorless chalcedony, and picturesque black to brown dendritic inclusions of manganese oxides. While its exact origins remain a mystery, there are many theories surrounding the formation of this unique gemstone. Dendritic opal is found in many locations around the world, including India, Mexico, and the United States. Its distinctive patterning is caused by an inclusions of other minerals, such as iron, manganese, or copper. Initially thought to be a type of quartz, it is now known that dendritic opal is actually a form of chalcedony, a mineraloid made up of silicon dioxide. Its distinctive patterns and vivid colours have been admired and sought after by many, with its origins shrouded in mystery. From “tiny” rings to bold statement necklaces featuring multiple stones, I design each piece of jewelry in my Contra Collection to highlight the natural beauty of these incredible, one of a kind stones.Dendritic opal is an intriguing gemstone that has been treasured for centuries by many cultures. The stones I buy are already cut and polished, ready for me to build my custom steel settings (with open backs to showcase the design of the stone on both sides). (Before that trip, I didn’t even know it existed!) I only brought a small selection of stones back from that trip (which all sold in the initial launch of the Contra Collection) but since then I’ve continued to work with some amazing gem dealers in Jaipur to source these unique stones. I first stumbled across dendritic opal while in a gem shop in India. Where does dendritic opal come from?ĭendritic opal is most commonly found in India, Turkey, and Africa. Dendritic opals actually have an amazing range of white, greys, and blacks that are as subtle as they are striking. (Though sometimes there are so many inclusions that the stones appear black, rather than white.) But don’t let the limited color palette fool you. It’s these inclusions (formed when minerals seeped into the base stone) that makes dendritic opal so interesting and unique.Īgates actually come in a huge variety of colors, but one of the characteristics that set dendritic opals apart is that they always feature a white (or off-white or translucent white) base (which is why they are often called opals rather than agates) with dark inclusions. You might already be familiar with agates, as they’ve been pretty popular in jewelry the last few years, but you’re more likely used to seeing agate slices and banded agate than dendritic agate.ĭendritic (the word that that makes these stones such a mouthful to say) is just a fancy and technical term to describe those little inclusions throughout the stone that often look like trees or snowflakes or other beautiful, organic imagery. (Which is why you’ll also see it referred to as dendritic agate, and why you don’t have to worry if you’re one of those superstitious people who thinks that you can only wear an opal if you’ve got an October birthday.) Surprise! Dendritic opal isn’t actually an opal at all, it’s really a type of agate. Each stone truly is one of a kind, with incredible detail and interest, more like a miniature painting than a stone.Īnd since, almost two years later, I’m still totally obsessed with this stone (and since it’s also a mouthful to say) today I thought I’d answer the question… What is dendritic opal? The black and white color palette and fact that so many of the stones were cut into my signature leaf shape had me hooked from the start.īut after working with these stones as part of my Contra Collection, I’ve fallen in love even more. From the minute I first laid eyes on some dendritic opal in a gem shop in Jaipur, I knew it was going to be “my” stone.
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