Many lapidaries refuse to work with the stone as the stone is easily ruined because of its innate brittleness. Opals are notoriously fragile to shape and cut into gemstones. It became closely associated with animals with evil eyes like cats and goats, and that was the association of bad luck with owning Opals.ĭuring plague times, Opal was thought to lose its color when the owner of the gem died. That, in turn, became the lead-in on the stone being associated with the evil eye. In the middle ages, Opal was thought to enhance eyesight and was known as the eye stone. Opal brought good luck to those who owned it.
Opal was so valuable because of the rainbow play-of-color that the stone displayed the Romans considered Opal the combination of all gemstones. Opal History and Understanding the Lore of Bad LuckĪt one time in history, back in Ancient Rome, Opal was prized as the most valuable stone, worth more than diamond. These Opals are typically referred to in measurements of size instead of carat weight. Boulder Opal generally is veins or pockets of Opal that form in the rock, and Matrix Opal refers to Opal that is distributed finely through the sediment grains. Boulder and Matrix Opalīoth Boulder and Matrix Opalit refer to Opal that is so intertwined into a sandstone or ironstone rock that it is shaped as part of the gemstone. Precious Opals display their colors when the light is moved over the Opal, when the Opal is moved under the light, and when the person viewing the Opal changes their perspective. Generally, the white Opal is considered the standard of Precious Opal and is the Opal that is referred to the most when Opal is mentioned. The term Precious Opal applies to any opal that shows a play-of-color. Lower values occur when the color is yellow-toned, and the coloration inside is less brilliant. Fire Opals are very valuable when the coloration and the play-of-color are exceptional and valued more than Precious Opals. The play-of-color inside the stone is dulled because of the vibrant background coloration. Fire-Opal differs from Precious or Common Opals in that the background ranges in color from deep yellows to bright red backgrounds.
They were revered by both the Aztecs and the Mayans and were found in ancient burials sites of both cultures. Fire Opalįire Opal is formed from the deep underground ancient volcanos in Mexico. Black Opal is extremely rare and, because of this, is valued at a high price per carat for stones that display the best and brightest colorations. This backing, called potch, allows the colors in the Opal to reflect out of the gemstone more vibrantly. Black Opals have a black backing to the clear layer of silica that reflects the prismatic colors of an opal. Black Opalīlack Opal is found in only one country, Australia, and almost all of them have come from a single town, Lightning Ridge. The colors that display in a water opal are amorphous and without distinct edges. The play-of-color changes depending on the stone and is often not very bright. Another description could be that it looks like a plastic bag of water inside the stone. It has a look that is described as gelatinous. Otherwise, your Opal can develop cracking throughout the gemstone.Ī water opal is a blue-gray stone with a light play of color. This gemstone has a high percentage of water content and can dry out, keep them out of prolonged direct sunlight and high heat. Opals should be carefully cleaned, only using soft cloths and soapy water. Opal is relatively soft and is between five and six on the MOH gemstone hardness scale. It is also the birthstone for the month of October. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia.
Brazil, Mexico, and the Western US all produce Opal, but about ninety-five percent of the precious opal market is mined from Australia. Opal is primarily mined in Australia but is found around the world in various countries. Several varieties of Opal are named for the shape of the play-of-color they display, such as Boulder, Crystal, and Matrix. There are several varieties of Opal, from Fire Opal, Precious Opal, and Black Opal. Opal is a silicate mineral gemstone that can flash every color of the rainbow. You are looking for an Engagement Ring, but are you looking for an alternative stone to a diamond? Learn about everything Opal and get inspired by the Best Opal Ring ideas. Best Moissanite Necklace Ideas You will Love! - September 28, 2022.Moissanite vs Lab Diamond: Breakdown and Comparison - September 28, 2022.Moissanite Eternity Band Ideas You will Love! - September 28, 2022.
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