Iridescent precious stone (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: OPAL (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Iridescent precious stone" with 4 letters is "OPAL".Opal is an iridescent precious stone known for its vibrant play of colors, often appearing in hues of red, blue, green, and yellow. It is prized for its unique and shifting color patterns, which make it one of the most beautiful and sought-after gemstones used in jewelry.
Why “Opal” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (4 letters) meaning “iridescent precious stone.” The answer, OPAL, fits perfectly:
- Iridescent precious stone: Opal is a semi-precious gemstone famous for its shifting colours and shimmering internal reflections—exactly matching the clue’s description of “iridescent.”
- Direct match: With four letters, opal fits the clue’s enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word refers to a hydrated silica mineral that displays a remarkable “play-of-colour” effect caused by the diffraction of light through its microscopic structure.
Opal is one of the most distinctive and beautiful gemstones due to its ever-changing hues and historical significance:
- Origin and usage: The word opal comes from the Latin opalus, derived from the Greek opallios and the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone.” Its name reflects its long recognition across ancient cultures as a gem of beauty and mystery.
Formation:
- Created when silica-rich water seeps into cracks in rocks and solidifies over time, trapping light-reflective silica spheres.
- The arrangement of these spheres determines the intensity and variety of colours.
Types of opals:
- Precious opal: Displays iridescence (known as “play of colour”).
- Common opal: Opaque and lacks the colourful shimmer.
- Fire opal: Transparent to translucent with fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow.
- Black opal: The rarest and most valuable, primarily found in Australia.
Examples:
- “Her necklace was set with a glowing opal.”
- “Australian mines produce some of the world’s finest opals.”
- “The opal’s colours seemed to dance in the light.”
In quick crosswords like “Iridescent precious stone (4),” gemstone clues are straightforward and rely on general knowledge:
- Definition: “Iridescent precious stone” defines opal directly by its optical and physical properties.
- Clue type: Simple factual clue — no wordplay or deception.
Solving approach:
- When a clue refers to gemstones and carries hints like “shiny,” “precious,” or “colourful,” common four-letter answers include opal, ruby, jade, and pearl.
- The key hint here is “iridescent,” which strongly points to opal — known uniquely for its play of colours.
Crossword pattern: Facts-based clues about minerals or gems test recognition of well-known stones, often short and visually descriptive.
