The Magnificent Opal: A Gem of Ill Omen?
The opal is a gem of magical beauty; in its depths flash brilliant sparks of constantly changing colors that have entranced and fascinated people for centuries. Considered by many to be the most precious of stones, the opal is also the most fragile, and it’s sensitively to light, atmosphere, and temperature has given it an air of unpredictable that has added to its appeal.
The Magnificent Opal: A Gem of Ill Omen?
The opal is a gem of magical beauty; in its depths flash brilliant sparks of constantly changing colors that have entranced and fascinated people for centuries. Considered by many to be the most precious of stones, the opal is also the most fragile, and it’s sensitively to light, atmosphere, and temperature has given it an air of unpredictable that has added to its appeal.
But despite its unique properties – or perhaps because of them – the opal, more than any other stone, has inspired bigotry and superstition. Over the centuries it has waxed and waned in public favor, being viewed alternately as a charm for good luck and as an object of fear and dread.
Opals come in many colors and varieties. Of these, the best known are the white, or light colored; the black, or dark colored; the harlequin, or multicolored opal; and the spectacular, reddish tinged fire opal.
Although once mined exclusively in Hungary, today opals usually come from Australia and Mexico. They are found in the seams of volcanic rock, into which they are originally flowed as part of a boiling silica-water solution; deposited in the rock crevices, the solution eventually cooled and “opalized,” or hardened into stones.
The natural brittleness of opals means that they can be splintered or fractured during cutting. Some believe that the misfortune bestowed on jewelers who damaged them may have been the basis of the prejudice against the precious stones.
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20 Comments
RS Wing, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
I’ve never bought into the superstitions of the opal. The Gem Stone is just too beautiful. It’s a great article detailing the history behind the superstitions, which I believe just adds to the mystic. I buy them all of the time for my fiance and they always look so beautiful. Awesome pictures and detailed history of these beauties! Fantastic article Mr. Ghaz!
Shirley Shuler, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
Great post, enjoyed your article very much!!
Doaa Abdelfattah, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
Nice article and great photos.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
Opals are magnificient but I didn’t know they came in so many different colors.
Eunice Tan, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
Beautiful stones. Thanks for the stories behind them
papaleng, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
A very interesting post about a fine stone.
Idazalee, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
A great and wonderful story about opal stone. Loved the pictures..looks stunning and beautiful..Thank you 
Amry, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Another brilliant and well written article from you Mr. ghaz.. .. very interesting read indeed..Thanks a lot for sharing.
wonder, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Simply fabulous. I’d lost my father’s opal ring years ago.Thanks for sharing.
Hazel Crowther, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Thank you, very well put together I knew nothing about the opal until today, and I loved the photos, particulaly the turtle.
Faith Hodge, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Well presented article. Interesting, informative with beautiful photos . thank you for sharing
STEVE666, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Another well presented article, Mr Ghaz.
Lostash, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
More history attached to beauty!
Debra., posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
Opals are stunning stones! Great article, MrGhaz!
susan, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2009
As a child I loved opals. My aunt was adamant that I should never wear it because it was not my birthstone and would therefore bring bad luck.
T.L. Sanders, posted this comment on Oct 12th, 2009
Very informative article. I know nothing about jewelry or stones so thanks for the enlightenment.
CutestPrincess, posted this comment on Nov 3rd, 2009
This is very valuable information we can all learn from. Well done.
katrin, posted this comment on Nov 13th, 2009
ur pictures of opal were really nice.the 6th picture is great somehow makes me feel that it reminds us the first years of earth being created by god,everywhere earthquicks and etc.it has crammped this memory in itself.how nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Hileman, posted this comment on Dec 16th, 2009
I enjoyed your article. As a jeweler specializing in Australian opal, I am still amazed at the superstition about opal that remains in some people today. Many people still believe that opals are bad luck if you wear them and they are not your birthstone. Opal is a joy to work with because if you do your job well and cut the stone perfectly, you can unleash a magnificent explosion of colors. Very gratifying!
cardy, posted this comment on Oct 4th, 2009
A fab article really enjoyed the read beautiful thing the opal.