Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
defined descriptive
Pinfire / pinpoint
Small, closely set patches of play-of-color.
Descriptive play-of-color arrangement term; not a provenance or authenticity test.
Sources · BOU006-SRC-001
BOU006 · terminology with boundaries
Pattern Library
Learn visual terms used for opal play-of-color while keeping descriptive vocabulary separate from scientific structure, geographic provenance, authenticity, treatment and value.
Pattern describes appearance
A pattern name is not an origin test.
GIA defines several common play-of-color terms. Research literature also describes structural arrangements such as bands, while the Australian Museum lists additional descriptive names without defining them on the cited page.
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
defined descriptive
Harlequin / mosaic
Broad, angular, closely set patches of play-of-color.
Descriptive arrangement; scientific literature also discusses juxtaposed polygons. The term does not prove origin, rarity or value.
Sources · BOU006-SRC-001 · BOU006-SRC-002
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
defined descriptive
Flame
Sweeping reddish bands or streaks across the stone.
Descriptive play-of-color arrangement term; not locality evidence.
Sources · BOU006-SRC-001 · BOU006-SRC-002
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
defined descriptive
Peacock
A pattern described by GIA as mainly blue and green.
Descriptive color-pattern term; not locality or value evidence.
Sources · BOU006-SRC-001
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
research observed
Bands
Scientific literature on digit patterns records bands among the arrangements of diffraction color in precious opal.
Research-observed structural/optical arrangement; this BOU diagram does not represent a specimen.
Sources · BOU006-SRC-002
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
listed only
Chinese writing
No normalized definition supplied by the cited museum page; BOU intentionally leaves this term undefined.
Australian Museum lists this as a descriptive pattern name but the cited page does not provide a normalized definition; BOU does not invent one.
Sources · BOU-SRC-011
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
listed only
Ribbon
No normalized definition supplied by the cited museum page; BOU intentionally leaves this term undefined.
Australian Museum lists this as a descriptive pattern name but the cited page does not provide a normalized definition; BOU does not invent one.
Sources · BOU-SRC-011
Diagram · terminology only · not specimen evidence
listed only
Flash
No normalized definition supplied by the cited museum page; BOU intentionally leaves this term undefined.
Australian Museum lists this as a descriptive pattern name but the cited page does not provide a normalized definition; BOU does not invent one.
Sources · BOU-SRC-011
Vocabulary boundary
Trade or miner language stays in context.
GIA reports Koroit miners calling certain bumpy pieces “bubbles.” BOU records that as miner vocabulary from that field report, not as a scientific pattern category or provenance test.
Never infer from a pattern name: geographic origin, rarity, price, authenticity, natural vs. synthetic status, treatment, mine identity or collection provenance.
Optics bridge
Patterns belong beside Formation, not instead of it.
GIA describes pattern as the arrangement of play-of-color. The live Formation route explains the optical/structural context; the Pattern Library names only what its cited sources support.
Pattern literacy
Name what you see; do not turn a name into provenance.
Pattern vocabulary supports description and comparison within the cited definition or source listing. It does not certify origin, treatment, authenticity, rarity or value.
Safe use: “this appearance resembles a published descriptive term.” Unsafe use: “this pattern proves the stone came from a particular field.”
ICU / CONNECTED DISCOVERY
Continue through related ideas.
These are bounded editorial connections; paid placement does not influence them.
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