Evanston Store Hours
| Sunday: | CLOSED |
|---|---|
| Monday: | 10:30 am - 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday: | 10:30 am - 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday: | CLOSED |
| Thursday: | 10:30 am - 7:00 pm |
| Friday: | 10:30 am - 5:30 pm |
| Saturday: | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Opal is composed of hydrated silica. It is an amorphous silicate, meaning it does not form crystals. Opals are structurally composed of tiny spheres of silica which, when arranged in perfect geometry, create the famous play of color associated with the stones. The symmetrical arrangement of silica balls acts like a prism, which allows the rainbow spectrum of colors to be visible to the naked eye.
After collecting fossils as a hobby for many years growing up, Dave Douglass opened Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop in 1970 at the age of 20 (with the help of his parents) at 1312 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. The shop contained minerals and fossils, mostly self-collected by the Douglass family.
