Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)

Archive answer — September 1, 2026

16 Across

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Clue explained

“OPAL” is the published 4-letter fill for 16 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Mirror Quiz Crossword

This clue’s Tuesday, September 1, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

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Across

11 clues
  1. 6& 22A The -, 1907 stage play by J M Synge (7,2,3,7,5)
  2. 8River of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a headstream of the Congo River (7)
  3. 9Fast, powerful overhead stroke in tennis (5)
  4. 10Republic on the Persian Gulf whose capital is Baghdad (4)
  5. 12& 2D Pakistan Test cricketer who hit 274 against England at Edgbaston in 1971 (6,5)
  6. 14Neil -, golfer who won the 1966 Dunlop Masters (5)
  7. 15Final honours examination for a BA degree at Cambridge University (6)
  8. 16Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)OPAL
  9. 19Long-barrelled firearm with a spirally grooved interior (5)
  10. 21Continents of Europe and Asia considered as a whole (7)
  11. 22see 6 Across (7,5)

Down

14 clues
  1. 1- Desert, arid plateau of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana (8)
  2. 2see 12 Across (5)
  3. 3Jane -, Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar winner for Johnny Belinda (5)
  4. 4Horse racecourse in Wales that opened in 2009 (4,3)
  5. 5Fast-running, flightless bird of South America (4)
  6. 6Chazz -, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar nominee for Bullets Over Broadway (10)
  7. 7Actress who played Kris Munroe in US television series Charlie's Angels (6,4)
  8. 11Internationally recognized distress signal used by ships and aircraft (1,1,1)
  9. 12Branch of Mahayana Buddhism stressing the role of meditation in pursuing enlightenment (3)
  10. 132008 Mal Peet novel (8)
  11. 14French author of 1933 novel The Cat (7)
  12. 17Justin -, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar nominee for Kramer vs Kramer (5)
  13. 18Town and major railway junction in Cheshire (5)
  14. 20Small, wingless, blood-sucking insect noted for its power of leaping (4)

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 6. & 22A The -, 1907 stage play by J M Synge (7,2,3,7,5)

    Answer: PLAYBOYOFTHE

  2. 8. River of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a headstream of the Congo River (7)

    Answer: LUALABA

  3. 9. Fast, powerful overhead stroke in tennis (5)

    Answer: SMASH

  4. 10. Republic on the Persian Gulf whose capital is Baghdad (4)

    Answer: IRAQ

  5. 12. & 2D Pakistan Test cricketer who hit 274 against England at Edgbaston in 1971 (6,5)

    Answer: ZAHEER

  6. 14. Neil -, golfer who won the 1966 Dunlop Masters (5)

    Answer: COLES

  7. 15. Final honours examination for a BA degree at Cambridge University (6)

    Answer: TRIPOS

  8. 16. Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)

    Answer: OPAL

  9. 19. Long-barrelled firearm with a spirally grooved interior (5)

    Answer: RIFLE

  10. 21. Continents of Europe and Asia considered as a whole (7)

    Answer: EURASIA

  11. 22. see 6 Across (7,5)

    Answer: WESTERNWORLD

Down

  1. 1. - Desert, arid plateau of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana (8)

    Answer: KALAHARI

  2. 2. see 12 Across (5)

    Answer: ABBAS

  3. 3. Jane -, Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar winner for Johnny Belinda (5)

    Answer: WYMAN

  4. 4. Horse racecourse in Wales that opened in 2009 (4,3)

    Answer: FFOSLAS

  5. 5. Fast-running, flightless bird of South America (4)

    Answer: RHEA

  6. 6. Chazz -, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar nominee for Bullets Over Broadway (10)

    Answer: PALMINTERI

  7. 7. Actress who played Kris Munroe in US television series Charlie's Angels (6,4)

    Answer: CHERYLLADD

  8. 11. Internationally recognized distress signal used by ships and aircraft (1,1,1)

    Answer: SOS

  9. 12. Branch of Mahayana Buddhism stressing the role of meditation in pursuing enlightenment (3)

    Answer: ZEN

  10. 13. 2008 Mal Peet novel (8)

    Answer: EXPOSURE

  11. 14. French author of 1933 novel The Cat (7)

    Answer: COLETTE

  12. 17. Justin -, Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar nominee for Kramer vs Kramer (5)

    Answer: HENRY

  13. 18. Town and major railway junction in Cheshire (5)

    Answer: CREWE

  14. 20. Small, wingless, blood-sucking insect noted for its power of leaping (4)

    Answer: FLEA

The answer to “Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)” in the Mirror Quiz Crossword is OPAL — a 4-letter word. It appears in our available data for September 1, 2026 at 16-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)” answer

OPAL(4 letters)

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Why does OPAL fit?

OPAL is the published 4-letter answer at 16-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Amorphous form of hydrated silica used as a gemstone (4)”?

The answer is OPAL.

How many letters are in the answer?

4 letters: OPAL.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Mirror Quiz Crossword for September 1, 2026 at 16-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Mirror Quiz answers page for September 1, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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