 Opal is often known as a symbol of hope, happiness and truth. This gemstone has over one hundred variety and trade names, but the list of accepted or commonly used names is much shorter. The most important and most widely known opal is the precious opal. Precious opals are translucent to transparent and are distinguished by a combination of milky to pearly opalescence and an attractive play of many colors. These colors flash and change as a stone is viewed from different directions are caused by interference of light along minute cracks and other internal in homogeneities. Opal is extensively used as a gemstone. Various forms of common opal are widely mined for use as abrasives, insulation media, fillers, and ceramic ingredients. Color modifiers such as white, black, pinks, and blue, which describe the body color of the opal, may further subdivide precious opal. Australia is famous for its white and black precious opal. Fire opal, the bright red, reddish-yellow, orange, or brownish-red body colored opal is commercially the second most important opal. Opal`s name evolved from the Roman word `opalus` from the Greek word opallios meaning `to see a change of color.` According to another theory the word opal comes from upala, a Sanskrit word simply meaning a stone.
Opal is fundamentally colorless, but such material is rarely found. Disseminated impurities generally impart to opal various dull body colors that range from the yellows and reds derived from iron oxides to black from manganese oxides and organic carbon.
The milkiness of many white and gray opals is attributable to an abundance of tiny gas-filled cavities in them. Precious opal reflects light with a play of brilliant colors across the visible spectrum, red being the most valued. Crystal opal has a colorless background and exhibits play of color, but, unlike white or black opal, it lets light pass through it.
Opal along with tourmaline is birthstones of Libra. The timeframe ranges from Sept 23 to Oct. 23. Opal is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th and 18th years of marriage.
 There are some varieties of Opal that can be mentioned, as black opal. Black opal is present with a very dark gray or blue to black body color. This is particularly rare and highly prized. White opal has light body colors whereas fire opal is characterized by yellow, orange, or red body color. White and Fire opals are much more common than black opal.
Care to be taken
Opals develop crazing if they are exposure to sun and allowed to dry out. In addition to cracking, loss of water causes loss of iridescence, therefore they need to be oiled regularly to keep the water inside. Opal also must be protected from detergents that dry the gem. Opals can be fairly brittle because they contain water.
Precious opal has been a gemstone since Roman times. Opal was included among the noble gems and was ranked second only to emerald by the Romans. The most striking quality of opal is its ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The interplay of different wavelengths of light gives opal its unique visual appeal, and makes it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world at all times. A beautiful opal called the orphanus was set in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. Opals are also set in the crown jewels of France. Most opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Fire opals usually are surface cut, but most other precious opals are finished in cabochon because their optical properties are best displayed on smoothly rounded surfaces. Many Opal stones are protected by water as because opal may crack or lose its color if it dries. It may sometimes protected or films of oil until they are sold. Light-colored stones are often dyed to resemble rarer, more deeply colored varieties. There are several opal imitations and even some synthetic opals on the market. So before buying a professional should always be consulted. Opals range from very inexpensive stones which are the almost pure white milk opals, to the very expensive black opals.
Important healing ability
Opal has been described in medieval times as a cure for diseases of the eye. There is some healing ability, which varies according to the difference of Oplals.
Fire Opal
The use of this diminishes Red corpuscle & blood disorders, depression, apathy, and lethargy.
Black Opal
Use of this stone helps in the recovery of reproductive organs, spleen & pancreas; it often filters red corpuscles and aids white corpuscles, bone marrow, depression, especially of sexual origin.
White Opal
The use of this usually balances left and right brain hemispheres for neuro- disorders stimulates white corpuscles.
Black opal is regarded as an extremely lucky stone. In ancient times opal was accepted as a symbol of faithfulness and confidence. Also it has reputed healing properties, especially to increase mental capacities such as creative imagination. Black opals worn near the heart on necklaces made of gold are said to protect one from the evil eye and protect travelers on journeys to far away lands. Opals have been ground up and used magic potions to heal the body. It ward off bad dreams, and used an energy enhancement tools. Opal is brittle, heat sensitive, and breaks and scratches easily. But some varieties self- destruct through the loss of water. Even with these drawbacks, opal`s unsurpassed beauty guarantees its status as a premier gemstone. The derivation of its name even adds to its position.
It is a mysterious gem, as each one appears different in its delicate beauty. It has always been one of the most popular and esteemed gems, known to absorb. It carries and pass enormous amounts of energy.
Other Gemstones
Gemstones for Planets
See Also
|
