The Mystery Of The Opal
There is no other stone that compares to the opal in terms of its mystique. It lures you in with its flaming colors and stunning spectrum of color, and you can’t take your eyes away.
Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian, characterized opalus—the opal—as a beautiful stone containing the burning flame of carbuncle (Garnet), the dazzling purple of amethyst, and the sea-green brilliance of emerald—all gleaming together in astounding union and exquisite delight. It was considered by all in the ancient world to be the most enchanting and mysterious of gems, worn for its virtues of soothing and strengthening vision, healing eye diseases, and being capable of bestowing great luck, as it possessed all the virtues of the gemstones whose colors reside within it. Despite its beauty and great desire, this “Queen of Gems'” reputation fell from grace for a period, tied to rumors, disasters, and inexplicable fatalities. Despite the beliefs, opal was redeemed in the twentieth century and is now an outstanding and beloved gem, particularly as the October birthstone. It is also the traditional present for a 14th wedding anniversary.
Each opal is distinct, with no two stones being precisely identical. Due to its depth and distinctive characteristics, every stone reflects light in a distinct way. Even without any deliberate effort, this gemstone emanates an enigmatic aura.
Opals are highly popular for jewelry, and it’s easy to see why, given their stunning diversity of colors. Soft and feminine, yet ferocious and fearless.
It has been linked to magical properties since ancient times. It was thought to bring both good and bad luck to those who wore it. Numerous cultures used opals in white magic and believed they would bring luck. Other tribes regarded them as a third eye that could predict the future.
Although opals are semi-precious stones, black opals can be as expensive as diamonds. The amount of fire and the origin of an opal determine its price. Pale opals are inexpensive, but the more fiery or red the opal, the more valuable it becomes.
In the metaphysical world
Opal serves as a prism inside the aura, giving a full spectrum of light energy to the system, relaxing and cleaning the emotional body, and strengthening the will to live and delight in one’s earthly existence. It ignites optimism, excitement, and creativity while releasing inhibitions to inspire love and desire. Opal heightens cosmic consciousness and generates flashes of intuition and insight while also acting as a protection stone for deep inner work, meditation, and lower world shamanic excursions.
Opal is most famous for bringing one’s features and characteristics to the surface for study and transformation. Opal absorbs and reflects light in the same way that it gathers up ideas, sentiments, desires, and repressed emotions, amplifying and returning them to the source. While accentuating one’s negative characteristics may be unpleasant, it allows one to comprehend how harmful these emotions can be and aids in the process of letting them go. Opal also spotlights one’s own positive deeds and feelings, increasing the good and true and developing one’s fullest potential. It is a karmic stone that serves as a reminder that what one sends out will be returned.
Opals instill a sense of tranquility and security, alleviating stress and despair and encouraging one to quit pondering in order to better direct one’s thoughts and energies. They are antidotes to rushing thoughts, rehashing the past, or anticipating the future. Opals are stones of good dreams that focus the mind and are especially soothing for children and individuals who have always slept poorly or had repeated nightmares for no apparent cause. Precious opal soothes any problems a youngster may be having with an invisible or imaginary friend and is especially useful before sleep if the child wishes the companion would leave at bedtime.
There are several types of opals
The most popular opal is the fire opal. It has flaming orange and crimson specks and is transparent. The hues are vibrant and seductive. This opal is sometimes called the Mexican opal, often known as the Cherry opal.
The white opal is an opaque, milky white with rainbow-colored flashes.
Boulder opals are solid natural opals with a thin layer of opal placed on an iron base.
Colorless and translucent, the water opal or jelly opal has no color play.
The crystal opal is clear as well, yet it exhibits a rainbow of colors. On a light surface, it is so transparent that you can see right through it.
The Mosaic opal is exactly what it says. Small, uneven opal shards are densely packed together. It’s a terrific technique to use chips that are also incredibly inexpensive.
The opal doublet is made up of sliced natural opal layers that are too thin to be utilized in a single set. It’s glued to black glass or ironstone, which brings out the color. Because you are getting less real opal, the doublet opal is substantially less expensive.
Synthetic opals are made in a lab, and while they have many of the same features as genuine opals, the jeweler is required by law to inform you if the stone is synthetic.
Opals, contrary to popular belief, are no more difficult to care for than other stones. They should not be knocked or banged, and they should be kept away from direct sunlight or heat.
You should know that you can’t clean opals with a jewelry cleaner or any other harsh chemical solution. Instead, scrub with a gentle brush and a dab of vinegar in water, then rinse thoroughly.
Water will not harm your opal unless it is a doublet or triplet, in which case you should avoid it. Solid stones are acceptable.
So the next time an opal entices you and wants to accompany you home, why not add this lovely, intriguing stone to your jewelry collection? Only then will you be able to comprehend the opal’s mystique.
