Opal is considered one of the most beautiful stones in the world, even mineral museums often compete to have in their enclosures the most fluorescent ones. In jewelry, it can be found in green, blue, yellow, red, purple, orange, black, gray and brown, and even colorless. The magic of this gem lies in the flashes of light of different shades thanks to the fluorescence that the stone projects. Learn more about the characteristics and properties of opal in Planderful.
General characteristics of opal
Opals are loved for the play of color of their reflections that vary according to the angle of observation. Besides their multicolored brilliance, Opals are coveted for their stability, which is an important criterion to take into account in a gemstone containing six percent water.
A typical phenomenon of opalescence is that slight shimmering light that slides over the surface of the gem. The opalescence is then a consequence of the interference that the light encounters: the light diffuses between the subtle layers of the stone, creating this wonderful effect.
History of opal
Since ancient times, various cultures used to have many beliefs about the opal stone. For example, the Australian Aborigines believed that the creator came to the planet through a rainbow to bring a message of peace to all humans. At that instant when his foot touched the ground, the stones were revived, thus originating a flash in the colors of the rainbow, giving way to the creation of opal.
The Aztecs used to use the gem to make ceremonial and ornamental items. As for the Greeks, they were certain that the wearer of the opal possessed the gift of premonition. They used this stone as an amulet because they believed it gave them the gift of foretelling the future. While for the Romans the opal was a symbol of hope, which is why they used to give their wives this stone as a token of their love.
Varieties of opal
- Fiery: it has orange tones and sparkles.
- Precious: it is the most common and has iridescent shimmers.
- Woody: it is brown and has dark colored veins.
- Common: they are black, brown, brownish, brown, and yellow.
- Hyalite: it is usually transparent.
- Prasopalus: it has a green color.
- Menilite: it is white and has a diatomite covering.
- Hydrophane: this variety is porous and matte and becomes transparent when immersed in water.
- Generosite: similar to fire opal, but blue because of the copper.
Main opal deposits
There are several countries with deposits of this gemstone, although the main ones are Mexico, Australia and the United States. Other important deposits worldwide are found in the Czech Republic, Ethiopia,Tanzania, Hungary, Slovakia, Honduras, Peru, Brazil and England.
Meaning of opal
The name Opal derives from the Latin "opalus" which in turn derives from the Ancient Greek "opallios" and means "to see a change". Another possible Greek etymology is "ophtalmios" (eye gem), but the original source of the name is probably the Sanskrit "Upala" (precious stone), which would confirm the thesis of those who claim that India was once a source of Opal for Ancient Rome.
Opal is also known as "the stone of artists", as it has the ability to bring out their hidden talents.
General properties of opal
Opal in jewelry is highly valued as a precious and semi-precious stone. In addition, it is believed to enhance people's creativity, bringing out their individual talents. For this reason, many artists wear opal jewelry to enhance their self-esteem, love, passion, and spontaneity toward their work.
Opal is also a gemstone linked to peace and love. It is widely used to ward off bad energies. Many believe that this gemstone has the power to act in the wake of emotions and solves problems through intuition.
Various benefits of opal
Spiritual benefits
The opal has practical effects that strengthen intuition when performing any activity. It also works as a medium when used for meditation. Therefore, it is considered an ideal stone for spiritual elevation. Many believe that opal awakens the arc of cosmic efficiency and favors interpersonal relationships. Spiritually, it is a stone widely used for romance and love.
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Therapeutic Benefits
The main therapeutic benefit associated with opal is to restore balance in the body. It is also considered that this gemstone relieves premenstrual discomfort in women, improves memory, fights infections, and helps people suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Another way to use this gemstone is for the treatment of kidney problems, provides relief from physical pain, enhances vision, and reduces symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and other emotional disorders. In any case, always consult a physician.
Different uses of opal
The most popular use of opal is in jewelry. At Planderful you will find opal jewelry, from rings to necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Opal is also used as a lucky charm. This is ideal for the sign of Pisces and Taurus.
Care and cleaning of opal
Opal is a gemstone with high water content, so it is considered very delicate. If you have a jewel of this gem and you live in a dry climate environment, it is necessary that you take into account some preventive care for the maintenance of the stone.
It is best to keep your opal jewelry in a plastic bag tightly closed with a cloth or a piece of cotton dampened with water. This will keep the stone moist and prevent it from dehydration.
Opal is a very sensitive gemstone and because of its water content, it can be damaged by temperature changes. Because they are very soft stones, they can be easily scratched, causing the large particles of dust to gradually reduce their natural luster when removed from the stone.
It is advisable to clean your opal jewelry with a soft cloth. Under no circumstances should your jewelry come into contact with any chemical or cosmetic agents, as they can damage the gemstone.
Visit the Planderful website and find your next opal jewelry.
