The Allure of Opals

Opals, surrounded by myth and misunderstanding, are one of the most beautiful gemstones.

Opal is a mineral species which displays a phenomena known as “play of color”. This means that the stone can display different hues or flashes in just about any color depending on the viewpoint, orientation or lighting conditions. The colors, however, only appears to change. Pattern and vibrancy are the major determining factors of value.

The biggest myth about the opal is that it brings bad luck. The modern myth of bad luck is widely attributed to a mid-19^th Century novel by Sir Walter Scott titled “Anne of Geierstein”. In the novel an opal is used to reflect the changing fortunes of the heroine, and the myth was born. However, since the beginning of civilization the opal has also been highly regarded. It is often seen as a symbol of strength. One lovely story of opals is told by Australian Aborigines. They speak of their Creator traveling via rainbow to spread the message of peace on earth and with each step the stones underfoot turned to rainbows (opals).

Opals do require some special care. Opals are soft stones, they score only a 5- 6.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness (diamond is a 10). Never put an opal in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, sudden changes in temperature can cause the stone to crack or craze. But opal is not a mood stone, your temperature can not change the color of the stone. Opal is the traditional birth stone for the month of October.

Opals: Beauty and Mystery

 

Opals are one of the most incredibly beautiful gemstones, and the one most surrounded by myth and misunderstanding.

Opal is a mineral species which displays a phenomena known as “play of color”. This means that the stone can display different hues, or flashes of hues in just about any color, depending on the viewpoint, orientation or lighting conditions. The play of color only appears to change. This pattern of colors and vibrancy are one of the major determining factors of value.

Perhaps the biggest myth about the opal is that it is somehow bad luck. Since the beginning of civilization the opal has been highly regarded, often seen as a symbol of strength. One story I came across, which I think is lovely, is one told by Australian Aborigines of the Creator traveling via rainbow to spread the message of peace on earth, with each step the stones underfoot turned to rainbows – opals. The modern myth of bad luck is widely attributed to a mid-19^th Century novel by Sir Walter Scott titled “Anne of Geierstein”. In the novel he used an opal to reflect the changing fortunes of the heroine, and the myth was born.

Opals do require some special care. Opals are soft stones, they score only a 5- 6.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness (remember diamond is a 10). Never put an opal in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, sudden changes in temperature can cause the stone to crack or craze. But opal is not a mood stone, your temperature can not change the color of the stone. So, if you are lucky enough to own an opal bring it out of the jewelry box!

Opal is the birth stone for the month of October.