Amy Lowell, 1874 – 1925

You are ice and fire, The touch of you burns my hands like snow. You are cold and flame. You are the crimson of Amaryllis, The silver of moon-touched magnolias. When I am with you, My heart is a frozen pond Gleaming with agitated torches.

In the eighth grade, a close classmate, Linda Collins gave me a beautiful pendant necklace with a crystal Opal. This was my introduction to Opals. The colors twinkled and drew me in immediately. At the time, I didn’t know it was my birthstone nor did I know about the many different color varieties. It is also the stone that celebrates the 14th year of marriage. 

My collection did not begin till I was an adult. I have several of them: crystal Opal earrings and pendant, several rings, and one bracelet. I also have several in my stone and mineral collection, but I am nowhere near having at least one of each. Some are hard to find; others are simply out of my financial range. In fact, black Opals can go for as much as $2,300 per carat.

I really wasn’t a fan of Opals till I entered the world of gems. The study showed me so much about them! I finally understood their value. And, most importantly, I learned how to care for them. Remember the pendant I received from my friend? Well, I destroyed it while trying to clean it.

Opals Are…

Opals are 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale. This scale represents the hardness of most gemstones. It starts with talc at 1 being the softest mineral, and ends with Diamonds at a 10, being the hardest mineral. It is a way of distinguishing minerals. The higher the number, the harder the mineral. The 5.5-6.5 puts the Opal in the middle with many, many other stones that are harder. For this reason, many things can damage them. They are the most delicate gemstone that is commonly used in jewelry and cleaning them requires a soft touch without chemicals. Did I mention I destroyed it???

Rain that seeps through the crevices of rocks creates Opals. The rains soak the dry, cracked soil and fill the fractures and cavities of the desert. The running rain water carries with it stones of high mineral composition. Over millions of years, the layers accumulate and form beautiful, poly-chromatic Opal deposits.

History of Opals

In the Middle Ages, Opals were considered lucky. They carried all the virtues of the stones whose colors were represented in a particular Opal. But, this was questioned in the 1800s. In his Gothic novel Anne of Geierstein, Sir Walter Scott introduced us to the enchanted and mysterious Lady Hermione. She wore an Opal in her hair that showed off the beautiful play of colors for which it is known. It also had a tinge of red that resembled a spark of fire. The colors of the Opal hair ornament seemed to change along with Lady Hermione’s moods.

One day, on her daughter’s christening, drops of holy water splashed on the Opal. It shot out a brilliant spark like a falling star, and became the instant afterwards lightless and colorless as a common pebble. Hermione collapsed and hours later, all that remained of her was a handful of gray ashes.

This story made the Opal an unlucky stone and people stayed away from it. Sales plummeted and Opals gained a negative reputation. In fact, my grandmother did not like the pendant my friend gave me for my birthday. She too believed it was a bad luck gem.

Another one of my favorite stories is that Opals grant invisibility when wrapped by a bay leaf. I still wonder how this even became a thing.

Opals are prominent throughout history and are compared to volcanoes, galaxies, and fireworks. Europeans consider the gem a symbol of hope, purity, and truth. They are protective stones and wearing one will keep you from harm.

Cleopatra is said to have worn opals to attract Mark Anthony.

They were the gem of Kings second only to the Emerald.

Opals’ Symbolism

The Greeks are the first to say Opals symbolized hope and purity. And, the Romans believed that this gem would keep the wearer safe from harm. Royal families decorated crowns with Opals for protection.

Wearing an Opal brings about faithfulness and enhances the wearer’s inner beauty. They are also representative of devotion and fidelity.  They also encourage passion.

Asian cultures see them as an emblem of hopefulness.

In Australia, the natives believe in the spiritual power of Opal. To them an Opal represents an ancestor. By the way, Australia has the most deposits of my birthstone.

Physical Health with Opals

Opals strengthen the will to live. They are connected to healthy vision, kidneys, and skin. 
Opal strengthens your memory and purify the blood and kidneys. It eases childbirth and alleviates PMS. 

Energies of Opals

Opals help with divine insight and mystical visions.  They will assist you in becoming more self-aware and protect you from absorbing other people’s energy.
​Opal increases originality and creativity and will help you express your true self. 

Because Opals come in so many colors and combinations, they work with many chakras. White Opal, for instance, lends itself to every one of our chakras. This beautiful gem is great for meditation as it helps you connect with your inner self.

Yellow Opal connects with the Solar Plexus and Crown Chakra so it is a wonderful stone for strengthening your spiritual connection.  It will help build confidence and will power.

The Pink Opal is associated with the Heart Chakra and will aid with an irregular heartbeat. When it comes to emotional issues, it helps with anxiety and stress. Hold one as you meditate for a greater spiritual connection.

So, What Do You Think?

Leave me a comment!

Sources:

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

www.Gia.edu

www.truefacet.com

Geology.com