Crossword Genius

Being milky means nothing, mate (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'being milky means nothing mate' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'nothing mate' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'mate' becomes 'pal' (I've seen this before).
'o'+'pal'='OPAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opal that I've seen before include "Precious stone" , "Milky-white gemstone with flashes of colour" , "Mineral, usually iridescent" , "Milk-coloured gemstone" , "Semi-precious stone of milky or bluish colour" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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