Opal. A mineral consisting, like quartz, of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific gravity. The precious opal shows a peculiar play of colors of delicate tints and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called harlequin opal. The fire opal (which comes from Mexico) has colors like the red and yellow of flame.

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“If you would have light and heat, why then are you not more in the sunshine? If you would have more of that grace which flows from Christ, why are you not more with Christ for it?”
–Isaac Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus