Opal is an iridescent, colorful, and also highly quantitative gemstone; hence, it is popularly referred to as the “rainbow precious stone”. One of the most incredible, different kinds of valuable stones from all parts of the world and marvelous in their play of colors, they have been catching the eye for centuries. From simple lovers of this beautiful stone to those who study gems, here are some amazing facts about opal that you need to know.
1. Birthstone of October
While the opal stone is generally accepted as a birthstone for the month, it is considered one of the most popular stones adopted by people born in October. It increases good luck, love, and creativity in the person who will wear it. Aside from being one birthstone, opal is also a stone to give on the 14th wedding anniversary because it symbolizes love and passion.
2. A Play of Colours Unlike Any
What sets the opal crystal apart from every other colored stone in the world such as Amethyst Stone or Aquamarine is its fantastic play of color. When light passes through these tiny spheres of silica in the stone, it produces a spectrum of colors that can very well include every color of the rainbow. Being unique, no two opal stones are alike; they are accordingly unique in every respect. Each stone, therefore, becomes a work of art.
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3. An Ancient Gem with a Rich History
Opal stone has been a prize for several thousand years, with ancient peoples of various cultures making varied meanings and powers out of this stone. To the Roman world, it was a stone to symbolize hope and purity, but in ancient Greek minds, it was thought to give its wearer the gift of prophecy. The Middle Ages believed that natural opal stone contained all the virtues of all the gemstones from whose colors appeared within it and, therefore, was a highly sought-after gem.
4. Australia is the Opal Capital of the World
Australia provides more than 90% of the world’s supply of opal crystals, the greatest proportion from the continent. Part of the famous world mineral cities are located in the country, namely: Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, and Andamooka. The Australian opal gemstone is known to exude fine quality and superbly bright colors that attract gem collectors and jewelers from the whole wide world.
5. Varieties
There are numerous types of opal stone, each having various properties. Among them, the most well-liked is the precious opal, which reflects this great play-of-color for which the opal is famous. Further on, black opal is the rarest and most valuable among these types, with a dark-colored body intensifying the bright colors of play-of-color. Fire opal is the popular variety that has a vivid orange to red body color, although doesn’t always display play-of-color. Then there’s the common opal crystal, or “potch” that lacks the play-of-color but does occur in a variety of whites, pinks, and greens.
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6. The Mysterious Origin of Opal
While much is said about its appearance, its formation is also quite remarkable. The precious natural opal stone is a silicon dioxide-water solution. This solution seeps through the rocks’ fissures for millions of years and solidifies extremely slowly to form opal gemstones. It is the arrangement of silica spheres inside the stone that diffracts light to bring about the play of color in the precious opal.
7. A Delicate Gemstone
Being beautiful, opal stone ranks among the softer and most delicate gemstones. With its Mohs hardness ranging between 5.5 and 6.5, it scratches easily and can be damaged if not well taken care of. Due to that fact, opal crystal jewelry should not be mixed with all other harder gemstones such as Tanzanite Stone, ruby, or emerald and should be cleaned only with mild soap, avoiding strong chemicals and extreme variations in temperatures.
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Conclusion
Opal is a rainbow gemstone that is second to none, combining breathtaking play-of-color and fascinating background. Be it the beauty that it radiates, the mystery its formation holds, or simply the possibility of wearing extremely rare and unique gems, opal has something to offer to everyone. This treasure will inspire and enthrall, taking its place as the timeless classic that it’s supposed to be within the realm of jewelry.
