Opal Stone

Opal is a mineral of hydrated silica. Opal Stones are luminous and iridescent with inclusions of many colors. Opal is a mineral composed of noncrystalline (amorphous) silica (and some water) and is a species of quartz. It derives its name from the Sanskrit name for precious stone; upala. Opal stone is the most challenging material for making beads. Due to the accumulation of high percentage of water, opal may deteriorate in heat and cold. It is fragile and tends to chip and scratch easily. Besides its beautiful and attractive appeal, opal stone is used as a lucky charm in some countries.

Opal Meaning

As mentioned above, Opal has derived its name from the Sanskrit word 'upala'. But there is a confusion about it, since another school of gemologists claim that the opal stone derives its name from the Latin word, 'Opalus'. Among the Romans, it is generally referred to as 'Cupid Paedros' meaning a beautiful child that signifies love.

Opal History

Opal stone history is quite interesting and controversial. While some believe that opal is a good luck stone, some societies attach ill luck and bad omens with the stone. Romans believed that the stone was a lucky charm for those born under the sun sign related to the month of October. It was believed to bring good fortune, relief from health problems and true love. Even the Greeks and the Arabians believed that it was a stone that fell from heaven. Several writers and philosophers also wrote about the stone's beauty and mystical powers.

But contradicting this thought, there were the civilizations like the Europeans that believed that the opal stone looked like the evil eye of animals like the cats and interpreted it as a harmful stone that brought bad luck and misfortune. In some societies it is still associated with the bad omens like death, disaster and ill health. Usage wise, it was popularly used for making opal jewelry and warding off the evils. Some people even wore it for its healing properties & mystical powers.

Opal Occurrence & Structure

Opal is mainly composed of noncrystalline (amorphous) silica (and some water) and is a species of quartz. Opals show a play-of-color when the spheres are uniformly arranged in regular 3-dimensional layers. The range of colors is determined by the size of the spheres. The brighter and more distinctive the play-of-color, the better the opal. Opal stone structure mainly consists of the three to ten percent of water, which can even extend up to twenty percent. br>

Opal Beads

Opal beads are also very popular for crafting opal gemstone jewelry. Red color opal beads look very attractive and bright. During the manufacturing of these beads, instead of concentrating at the particular red color, the manufacturers diversify their concentration in different color shades. As a result, opal beads are now available in various hues raging from translucent to opaque form. They are available in red, green, blue, yellow, orange and many more. Beautiful opal beads are manufactured mainly Peru, USA, Nigeria, Brazil, Japan, Honduras, Kenya, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Australia and Mexico.

Types of Opal Stone

Due to the high degree of versatility, there are numerous varieties of opal, each of the opal types is attractive in its own way.

• Peruvian Opal
• Australian Opal
• Harlequin opal - As the name suggests, gives a rich play of prismatic colors flashing from minute fissures. It is translucent and spangled with many shades of red, blue and yellow specks.
• Common Opal- Common Opal is dull white or milky blue.
• Opalescent Precious Opal - White or black, with a rainbow-like iridescence caused by tiny crystals of cristobalite.
• Precious Opal - The precious opal, if held to the light, shows a marvelous display of brilliant colors.
• Fire Opal- Fire opal is hyacinth-red to honey-yellow and shows intense orange and red fire-like reflections.
• Water Opal- Water opal is similar to fire opal, but is colorless.

Opal Stone Healing Properties & Mystical Powers

Opal Stone Healing Properties

Opal healing properties, like its colors, are many.

• Opal stone is widely used for curing eye relation problems.
• It is an effective tool for helping people out of depression and sadness in general.
• Detoxifies and strengthens the liver disorders.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Improves sexual strength and prowess.

Opal Stone Mystical Powers

• Helps in finding true love.
• Dispels nightmares and improves the quality of dreams.
• Protects from evil and ill intentions.
• Improves creative thoughts and skills.
• Brings about a balance in thought.
• Bestows good luck
• Boosts confidence and loyalty.

Opal Jewelry

Opal Resources

• Opaljewelryexpress.com
• Australianopals.com
• Villagesmithyopals.com
• Opalsmith.com