The charm of gemstones is a result of their brilliancy, clearness, and colors. Precious stones have been a symbol of beauty, rarity, and desire since the earliest times.

One of them, opal, has always fascinated writers, artists, and other creatives. This gemstone is diverse and unique, and it does not have a defined crystalline structure, so it can come in various shapes and colors.

The word “opal” originates from the Sanskrit word Upala, which means precious stone.

In Greek, it is known as Opallios, meaning “to perceive a change of color”, referring to its ability to change its color under the influence of light. The sun and light can reveal countless different shades in

Opal stones can be quite expensive, and the price depends on the type of the gemstone, the size, and its quality. Darker opals are harder to find so they are more expensive than the white ones.

Opal is mainly found in Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Mintabie, and Andamooka, Australia.

It is created by a mixture of silicon dioxide and water. Silica was carried down into rock crevices by heavy rains, and when the water evaporated, the silica gel hardened and was deposited in the form of tiny spheres.

This gem is unique, mostly because of its shifting play of kaleidoscopic colors, that resemble the northern lights, the galaxy, fireworks, or a magical underwater world.

Most precious opals have this multi-dimensional color display known as “play of color”. No two opals are exactly the same. The ones with the most intense and diverse play of color are the most expensive. Black opal is the most prized opal and may realize prices over AUD 15,000 a carat.

The Romans believed that opal was the most powerful and precious of all gems since it has the colors of all of them.

The Boulder Opal, also known as the ‘Rainbow Tree”, is probably the most beautiful of them all, and can be found in Queensland, Australia. It is the only opal that can display the entire rainbow within one stone.

Australian mines started producing opals commercially in the 1890s, and the country soon became the main source for this October birthstone in the world.

Opal jewelry is incredibly attractive and valuable. Crystals are often used in natural therapies, to restore harmony and balance in the energy systems and meridians.

Many people use opal as a way to boost their self-expression, creativity, and self-esteem, and it is also reported to help in the case of fever, infections, PMS symptoms, and labor, and to improve sleep quality.

So, was this enough for you to add opal to your collection of precious stones?

Sources:
mysticalraven.com
www.thesprucecrafts.com
www.gia.edu