從歷史來看，歐泊的價格從來沒有自制過。一百多年前在澳大利亞發現歐泊礦之后，歐泊就一直是最名貴的寶石之一。在中國寶石學界，對歐泊的相識較量少，許多教科書上都把歐泊劃在半寶石一類，這是大錯特錯的。歐泊一直是皇家、皇室專享的名貴寶石，由于它的產量希罕、色彩漂亮，都是其他寶石所不能相比的。
Historically, the price of opal has never been self-made. Opal has been one of the most precious gemstones since it was discovered in Australia more than 100 years ago. In China's gemmology circle, there is little acquaintance with opal. Many textbooks classify opal as semi precious stone, which is a big mistake. Opal has always been a precious gem exclusive to the royal family. Because of its rare output and beautiful color, it is incomparable with other gemstones.
歐泊的產地特征是很是顯著的，現在天下上主要有三大產區：澳大利亞(生產澳洲黑歐泊、白歐泊)、非洲埃塞俄比亞(生產白歐泊)、美洲墨西哥(生產火歐泊)。
只管從化學分子式上，種種歐泊都是含水二氧化硅，但由于成因差異，非洲歐泊和澳洲歐泊從比重、外觀、穩固性等方面來講都完全差異。
The origin characteristics of opal are very significant. Now there are three major production areas in the world: Australia (producing black opal and white opal in Australia), Ethiopia (producing white opal in Africa) and Mexico (producing fire opal in America).
In terms of chemical formula, all kinds of opals are water-bearing silica. However, due to the difference in genesis, the proportion, appearance and stability of opals in Africa and Australia are totally different.
作為國際公認的與鉆石、紅藍寶石等齊名的六大寶石之一，歐泊作為飾品在西方至少已經有2000年的歷史了。英國伊麗莎白女王、維多利亞女王、拿破侖的約瑟芬皇后，丹麥王儲王妃，都擁有名貴歐泊。據英國寶石學家里契曼所著的《歐泊》記載，歐泊在公元前200-100年期間就被用作珍貴寶石。在羅馬帝國時代，歐泊的價值就已極高。公元之初的古羅馬學者普林尼(Pliny)還記載過：羅馬帝國元老院的元老諾尼有一塊非常漂亮的歐泊，他非常喜愛，當時的統治者安東尼脅迫他獻出來，否則就將他流放?？伤晫毴缑?，寧可選擇苦難的流放，也不肯把歐泊交出，歐泊的珍貴性可想而知。
As one of the internationally recognized six gemstones with the same reputation as diamonds, rubies and sapphires, Opal has a history of at least 2,000 years as an ornament in the West. Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Napoleon's Queen Josephine, and Denmark's Crown Prince and Princess all have expensive European berths. According to the book Opal written by Cheiman, a British gemologist, Opal was used as a precious gem from 200 to 100 BC. During the Roman Empire, Opal's value was already extremely high. Pliny, an ancient Roman scholar at the beginning of a.d., also recorded that the elder senator of the Roman empire, noni, had a very beautiful opal, which he loved very much. Anthony, the then ruler, coerced him to give it or he would be exiled. However, he regards treasure as his life and would rather choose exile in misery than surrender Opal. The preciousness of Opal can be imagined.
現今，歐泊更因同時具備礦物、寶石、化石三種屬性，廣泛被博物館、收藏愛好者、科學家等所關注，成為近年來國際頂級礦物寶石展會的新寵。全球各大礦物寶石展會都以組織精品歐泊，作為吸引業界人士參展觀展的賣點，如果您需要一個收藏重器或是鎮館、鎮店之寶，那么收藏歐泊是不二選擇。
Nowadays, opal is widely concerned by museums, collectors and scientists because of its three properties of minerals, gemstones and fossils. It has become a new favorite of the international top mineral gemstones exhibition in recent years. All the world's major mineral gemstone exhibitions take the organization of high-quality opal as the selling point to attract people from the industry to participate in the exhibition. If you need a heavy collector or treasure of town hall or town shop, then collecting opal is the best choice.
