Unveil the Magic of Opals: Understanding Everything About the Gemstone

Opal is a gemstone made of amorphous, silica, chemically SiO₂·nH₂O. It has play or play of color over it. It has a refractive index ranging from 1.37 to 1.52, and is non birefringent. It has a specific gravity between 1.98 and 2.25, Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5.

Opal stones are truly works of art. It's hard to resist such a vibrant stone that displays a wide range of fancy rainbow-coloured patterns. It's hard to believe how it belongs to the silica mineral family, which includes cristobalite and quartz, and still looks so heavenly. Opals are a stone that has been popular forever. This October birthstone is never out of style. It sets the trend.

Opal stones come in a lot of variety, and every stone is one of a kind. Opals are very easy to identify. Not every gem has a white, pearly appearance and is translucent to opaque. Opals are available in so many colors, and each of them is stunning.

It might shock you, but opal stone was initially not considered a good luck gem or a gem that would bring peace, protection, and harmony. It was considered a stone of evil. An incident from the old days made everyone believe that the stone was connected to evil. 

Opal Gemstone is highly believed to be derived from two Latin and ancient Greek words, ‘oplaus’ and ‘opallius’. The meaning of both words is color-changing. Some might also believe that the Opal stone meanings and names have been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘upala’, meaning jewel.

Back in the day, in a novel by Sir Walter Scott, a lady named Hermione was believed to be possessed. When a drop of holy water was dropped on her, it accidentally fell on her opal necklace and destroyed its color.

Since then, the price has dropped, and people have started refusing to use it. There was no use of rings, earrings, or any kind of opal jewelry.

Years later, when a variety of black opal was found in Australia, people started regaining trust, and the demand went up. Since then, Australia has been the major producer of white and black opals. The rhodochrosite price per gram typically reflects its vibrant pink hues and level of clarity.

Let’s see what this ‘queen of gems’ actually looks like. It looks exactly like a milky white, feathery stone dropped directly from heaven. The stone has a hardness rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale. It displays a rainbow of colors and patterns.

To see a display of rainbow colors on a white surface looks much more serene than you can imagine. The way it displays the color is even more unique. When you combine this stone with Amethyst, the beauty truly comes out. 

While holding an opal stone, you begin to spin it at various angles in the light. Its rainbow of colors will then emerge one by one. And in a range of colors, from white to gray, blue, yellow orange, green, pink, red, brown, and black. Relatively diaphanous (translucent to opaque) and wax leprous.

This is not a rare gemstone. One can find it in locations like Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. It is believed that the stone was first mined in the Carpathian Mountains. To lay your hands on the finest and real opal stone varieties, try going for the ones from Australia. Australian opals, both white and black, are a must-have.

Different locations yield high-quality opals, like Mexican fire opals and Ethiopian Welo Opal. The truth is you don’t need to go to these places to find a good quality of opal. The apatite price per gram varies based on its color saturation, with neon shades being more sought-after.

Other than being the world's oldest opal mine, it is also a first world's leading opal producer, producing 95 per cent of the world's opals and being famous for its quality black and boulder opals.

While interest in designer and customizable jewelry is high, discerning luxury jewelry consumers are leading the way for the heaviest demand growth for opal across North America from 2018 through 2030, due to how rapidly the market is surging.

Evidence of strong preference for artisanal and unique gemstone pieces is most strongly seen in the growth rates of the opal jewellery market in Europe. 

Despite being more expensive than its other gem counterparts, its growing dominance in jewellery, particularly in Asia Pacific, is evidenced by a growth rate of 6.90%.

Rising disposable incomes and improved living conditions enabling its opals to be particularly popular in India and China for the symbolic and aesthetic appeal it evokes. 

Opals offer South American consumers a chance to own exclusive, exotic gemstones leading to enhanced purchasing power and available lifestyle improvements which collectively provide a growth rate of 5.10% making opals increasingly desired. 

The market is also steadily growing in the Middle East and Africa at 2.00% on account of rising disposable income and keenness for designer jewelry, which although smaller than the rest of the regions has good potential.

A great number of wholesale gemstone manufacturers and suppliers are offering natural opal stones for sale. For semi-precious gemstones, you have a big choosing from in our Gemstones for Sale.

Since Libra is so strongly connected to the natural opal stone, it relates to the feelings of desire, love, and deep passion. All positive qualities are amplified when a libra wears or carries this gemstone. 

Opal gemstone is associated in strong with zodiac sign of Libra and month of October. Libra rules harmony, romance, balance and relationships, so it is the most romantic sign in the zodiac. People in the Libra category are likely to value commitment and love above everything else. 

Scorpios too can highly benefit from this crystal that helps them to balance challenging instincts and traits. These stones enhance the eternal shine and internal beauty. Scorpions can also benefit a lot by wearing a tourmaline stone.  

When we talk more about the types of opal gemstones, we are mainly looking at the different properties of opal gemstones. You must believe that the original opal is the most beautiful; wait till you see the types.

Black Opal

Black opal is a highly valued, rare, and real opal stone. Despite its name, it is not black but rather a very dark-toned white opal. It is also known as the Australian black opal and holds great importance and value to Lightning Ridge, South Australia, where it is predominantly sourced.

Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian opals are known for their colourful play of color and surreal patterns; an opal cut which resembles a kaleidoscope. These hardy gems are found in the rugged Welo region of Ethiopia and their beauty and affordability make them a favorite of jewelry lovers everywhere.

White Opals

The classic white color of white opals (or light opals) can be from milky white to medium gray. Classic opals are considered classic, timeless, and elegant.

Fire Opal

Mexican fire opal, whose source is Mexico and therefore the alternative name, is widely regarded as the best fire opal available. Fire opal colors are yellow or orange red. The Mexican water opal is so named for being a little hard to cut; there is a bluish or golden variety, not uncommon to Mexico, which is sometimes called the Mexican water opal.

Hyalite Opal

Hyalite opal, also known as Muller glass, is a glass-like, transparent variety of opal. This variety is most commonly found in Mexico and Oregon, and when it originates from Mexico, it is sometimes called water opal due to its translucent, water-like appearance.

Matrix Opal

Matrix opal primarily comes from two sources: Queensland in Australia and Andamooka in South Africa. It is known for its unique composition, where the opal is embedded within the host rock, creating distinctive patterns.

Peruvian Opal

Peruvian opal comes in the form of alluring pastel shades of green, pink and blue. It is a common opal sourced from the Peruvian region of South America and doesn’t display any color. While its subtle hues and smooth texture still make it a prized gemstone, its definite hue makes it something very special.

Hydrophane Opal

One of these varieties of opal is high porous hydro phane opal, which can absorb water. Seems to dissolve placed in water and its colours are suppressed forming an interesting visual effect. It is a unique variety because of its water absorbing properties.

Jelly Opal

Water opals (sometimes called jelly opals) have water inclusions in the stone. They occur mostly in Mexico and Ethiopia. With its translucent, jelly like appearance, this variety is intriguing.

Honey Opal

Common opal is a yellow toned variety of honey opal. It has a glassy, transparent appearance, and is therefore a strikingly beautiful gemstone. One of the things people talk about when referring to its color is that it`s often described as the color of honey, which makes it lovely and colorful.

This gem is even better than it sounds. Its known qualities can help our minds, hearts, and spirits. It is known for its deep and helpful healing properties. Let's look at some of the good things about the opal crystal.

Physical Healing Properties

• It is known to strengthen your immune system.
• It helps bring down your fever.
• Helps in treating chronic fatigue or illness.
• It keeps your eyes healthy and your skin young.

Emotional Healing Properties

• Also known as the hope stone.
• It is very supportive of your emotional and mental health.
• Keeps you happy and optimistic.
• Eases the pain and discomfort during PMS.
• Increases self-confidence.

Metaphysical Healing Properties

• Balance all your chakras.
• Keeps you protected from negative energy.
• Develops your psychic abilities.
• Keeps the flow of creative thoughts regular.
• Keep your head cool at all times.

From precious and semi precious stones, it is important that you take good care of them so that they will stay longer. A basic level of care and maintenance goes towards every gem Moonstone and Opal. With opal as an example, some very simple methods that you can try to keep it.

• Step 1: A very mild soap mixed with some lukewarm water will do fine to clean the stone.
• Step 2: Don't clean the stone with any harsh chemical cleansers. The stone may be damaged by harsh cleaners.
• Step 3: It is a comparatively soft stone. After rinsing the stone, use a soft cloth to wipe it dry.
• Step 4: Since it comes with certain healing properties, it is important to also charge them from time to time. You can charge them by simply running them underwater.
• Step 5: Keeping them under the moonlight is another way of charging them naturally.
• Step 6: Do not leave the Opal stone in the sun for long hours. It is a Waterstone, and leaving it in the sun would not be a great idea. Sunlight might dry up the gem and crack it.

Opal stone is very potent in waking up the inner self, which is why it is one of the choice stones for those who seek their inner selves or need some transformation in life.

Other energies useful for those who are mentally and emotionally distressed and who seek clarification will find Opal energies helpful. There are many benefits of Opal Stone. 

• It is very useful for someone who seeks confidence or some self-esteem, as one would say it is a stone that fosters great awareness of self and informs one to go deeper in the understanding of their feelings.
• Astrologically, Opal is supporting Libra and Scorpio's birth suns by giving life grounding and balance. This adds another level of gravity to the opal stone meaning. 
• It also is thought to be of great value to those who wish to deepen the relationships that they are in today because it fosters loyalty, trust, and a deeper emotional connection between two people.
• It appeals to someone who finds beauty, elegance, and mystery behind a gemstone that captures an entire universe of colors within itself Opal will surely attract you.

With its shimmering play of colors, this gemstone has become known from ancient civilizations to European folklore as a stone of magic, prophecy, and divine favor. Check out these myths:

Cultural Belief

The Gem of Kings – Roman Beliefs

In the days of ancient Rome, opal was considered the most powerful and the most precious gem of all. Named opalus, seemingly meaning ‘precious stone’, its colors were vividly bright, with all other gems combined into one bright, beautiful hue. Romans considered it a lucky talisman that gave wearers foresight, protected them from harm, and favored royalty.

Tears of Joy from Zeus – Greek Mythology

Opal was thought to be the product of Zeus’ tears of joy, caused by his victory over the Titans, the gods of ancient Greece. This connection bestowed upon the gem the power to provide prophetic insight and shield the wearer from disease and misfortune.

The Transformation of the Goddess – Indian Lore

In Indian mythology, opal is associated with a story of transformation. It was claimed that the rainbow goddess turned into an opal to escape the overtures of powerful gods. Through this association, opal is conceived as a symbol of feminine strength, protection, and the beauty of diversity.

The mythological links remain intact in Opal’s enchanting allure and man’s unexplainable craving to put meaning into what nature has given us. But beyond the telling of the gem’s history, these tales present the gem doing the telling – as a stone of transformation, mystery, and beauty.

The gem known for its play of amazing colors has bewitched gem lovers for centuries. But this gorgeous gemstone is also very special when it comes to its beauty. Here are some interesting facts about opal that highlight its charm:

1. Opal’s Kaleidoscopic Colors

Or the opal of ‘opalesence’ for the captivation play of the colours in the stone, is of the nature of the diffraction of the light through a tiny silica spheres contained in the stone.

Whether they are large or small determines how the spectrum of these spheres is computed, and how they are arranged determines how it is displayed.

2. The Birthstone of October

Opal is October’s traditional birthstone, and symbolizes hope, creativity and purity. The 14th wedding anniversary stone is also for bringing love and loyalty, as well as for it!

3. Water Composition

Unlike most gemstones, opal holds water: It can contain up to 21 percent of it. This but is sensitive to dehydration and extreme temperatures and also has this unique iridescence.

4. Australia’s Treasure

Places such as Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge and Andamooka are famed as places in which opals are mined, and Australia is responsible for approximately 95 percent of the world’s opals. Australia’s national gemstone is black opal, for its vibrant play of color.

5. The World’s Largest Opal

The Olympic Australis is a 1956 find from Coober Pedy, Australia. It is uncut to maintain the gem's natural beauty and the remarkable gem weighs 17,000 carats (about 7.6 kilograms), and its worth is more than $2 million.

Opal jewelry also has its whimsy in the play of color, and the wonderful form and cut versatility don’t create a lot of pieces.

Certain shapes must be chosen because they help set off the ethereal charm, whereas others assist in emphasizing the gem’s appropriate brilliance from the correct cut.

Here are some of the most interesting shapes and cuts for opals:

1. Oval Cut – The Classic Choice

• The most popular cut for oval opals is also the most beautiful, leaving your opal shaped and balanced.
• It results in an extremely wide play of color and fits the maximum area in which the gemstone could be set.
• Oval cut diamonds are a great type of diamonds for rings and pendants of a more traditional or contemporary design.

2. The Dream of An Artisan - Freeform

• The opal gems cut are free form with their own contours exposing as much raw gem as possible.
• They are all freeform opals, all unique to their organic beauty and idiosyncrasy.
• We often see these shapes being especially loved by collectors and statement jewelers each, however, these shapes are also great components for much larger pieces and simple everyday jewelry like pendants and sticks.

3. Cabochon Cut - Hard as Timeless Elegance

• Cabochon cut opals are traditionally fashioned, their smooth, domed surface and flat back.
• It's a favorite for displaying the depth and color of the stone, especially the very high quality opals.
• Cabochons are used as rings, brooches and earrings for instance.

4. Pear Shaped Graceful Sophistication

• However, the pearl shape gathers the opal’s vibrant hue to make something elegant and teardrop.
• It is a commonly used shape for earrings and pendants which opens itself up to a sleek and refined silhouette.

5. Symmetrical Perfection Round Cut (also referred to as Symmetrical Perfection Rounds)

• Opals are commonly offered in the round cut, which doesn't have the brilliance of the modern cut, but the small stone does have that antique, but stylish look.
• Additional pass of color play comes from an added pass of the light that’s reflected evenly across the surface.
• For modern or plain jewelry design.

Opal prices per gram are determined by factors such as play-of-color and origin. Unlike traditional gemstones, opals do not have a standardized grading system, but experts assess them based on several critical factors:

1. Play-of-Color

Definition: Because of diffraction through the silica spheres in the opal, light passing through the stone causes what is called play-of-color: The shifting rainbow of colors.

Valuation:

Well-distributed brighter, more brilliant colors fetch higher prices.

Orange, green, and blue are next, and red flashes are the rarest and most valuable.

Marked stones of the full spectrum of colors are highly prized.

2. Body Tone

Definition: The base color of opal is the body tone which has a range from black to white.

Valuation:

Black Opals: The most highly prized opals are dark-bodied ones from Lightning Ridge, Australia, for dramatic play of color contrast.

White and Light Opals: Black opal is less valuable due to its lighter base and softer color contrasts.

Crystal Opals: Highly desirable opals are transparent or semi-transparent opals with strong colors.

3. Pattern

Definition: The pattern of the opal refers to a certain arrangement of color patches on the opal's surface.

Valuation:

Well-formed patterns such as harlequin (checkerboard), ribbon, or pinfire are more desirable.

Symmetric rare patterns with beautiful colors can make a stone valuable.

4. Clarity

Definition: Opals with clarity have minimum to zero inclusions and imperfections, and are transparent.

Valuation:

Cracks, potch (non-play of color areas), or inclusions are not found in high-quality opals.

Only those opals that are milky or cloudy are considered to have less value unless their play of color is exceptional.

5. Size and Carat Weight

Definition: Like most gemstones, Opals do have a size and carat weight effect on their value.

Valuation:

Strong play of color tends to sell for high prices because they’re rare opals.

Solid opals of the same size are worth more than thin slices used in doublets or triplets.

As Opal has been the self-proclaimed Queen of Gems for a long time that title also means that Opal is also a mystical gem like the star of the astrological sign Aquarius. That superlative play of color has beguiled and sustained claims of celestial origins and of spiritual powers.

In astrology, Opal is a gem of transformation and emotional balance. The first is also a gem of divine connection. Here’s a look at its astrological connections:

Category

Associated Planet

First off, opal is closely associated with Venus — the planet of love, beauty, luxury. Astrologers believe that opal can help you enhance creativity, passion and emotional harmony, just to name a few, which is why Venus rules all of that!

This type of meditation is especially powerful for those that wish to deepen relationships, boost finances, and flow creatively.

Zodiac Associations

Libra: Libra is the birthstone of the Libra! Opal is a beautiful, peace-loving stone and one that really suits Libras.

Taurus: As the nature of opal is sensual and grounded, it is recommended gemstone for those born under this sign, Taurus.

Scorpio: Opal worn by Scorpios helps to balance their intensity and helps heal from emotional challenges.

Chakra Alignment

Closely related to the Crown Chakra which governs spiritual connection and higher consciousness, Opal is. It is said to assist with meditation and self discovery, leading to opening the mind for divine intellectual wisdom.

Plus, Fire opals amplify the activity of the Sacral Chakra focused on keeping you motivated and creative.

What birthstone is opal?

Birthstone for the month of October is Opal meaning creativity, passion and inspiration.

Is opal a soft stone?

Yes, opal is soft… very soft… softer than other common gemstones, Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6. In addition its less hard stone means it is more subject to scratching.

What does the opal stone stand for?

Hope, purity, emotional healing opal is believed to work in bringing about positive change as well as being a symbol of hope and purity and working to enhance a person’s creativity.

How much is opal stone worth?

You can feel the difference in the value of Opal depending upon the color, clarity, and origin. And these prices can be ranging from just $10 per carat up to $1,000 per carat.

What is opal stone the best known or used for?

Opal is very known for its healing properties of bringing of emotional balance, increasing creativity, increasing self expression and more.