About opals we know that they are truly beautiful and fascinating gemstones like no other. Well, in them it is possible to see many colors shining unpredictably in a single stone. To which we must add the fact that, unlike most gemstones that exist, opals are amorphous. Which means that they do not have a defined crystal structure.
However, this incredible mix of colors and shapes are part of the magic that has allowed it to captivate many people for centuries and will continue to do so for many more. But besides admiring them, there is much to learn about them. So, surely you as well as us will enjoy discovering some facts that you probably didn’t know about these unique and colorful gemstones.
Opal is the birthstone for October
If you were born in October, you may already know this, but for those who didn’t, opal is the official birthstone for October. It’s not the only October birthstone though, as it shares this distinction with pink tourmaline, which is the other official birthstone for this month.
The rarest and most valuable opal is the black opal.
This type of opal exhibits a beautiful and full play of colors, ranging from yellow, blue, and green to violet, deep red, and orange. Therefore, being one of the most beautiful gemstones, it is easy to deduce why it is also one of the most valuable. In fact, the more colorful it is, the more valuable it will be. Black opal color variations include various shades of gray to black. But there are also many different shades, shades, nuances, and colors found within black opals.
White opals are the most common type
White opals are the most common type and while they are quite unique and beautiful, they have the lowest market value of all opal types. They are also known as «Milky Opals» and despite having less value, they are highly appreciated stones for energy work. So they are used to balance the chakras and eliminate negative emotions. Some have even called white opals the strongest of healing stones, going so far as to label them the stone of the Gods.
They are formed from the rain
Something that few know about opals is that they are formed as a result of seasonal rains. The process begins when water rushes through the cracked earth, collecting bits of silica along the way and carrying this solution deep into the ground. When the water evaporates, it leaves a deposit of lumpy silica, which after repetitive cycles and over very long periods of time, ends up solidifying and forming an opal.
But speaking of very long periods of time is not an exaggeration, since most of the opals that are mined today were made between 65 and 145 million years ago. Well, it takes approximately 5 million years to solidify just one centimeter of opal.
They are believed to symbolize purity
According to history and tradition, opals are believed to be a symbol of purity and hope. In ancient times, wearing opals was believed to bring luck and clarity of vision, but also happiness and beauty to the wearer.
Also know a List of 23 precious stones and their meaning
They are not as fragile as we think
There have been many misconceptions about opals, specifically about their strength. As many believe that because they are made in part from water and have a score of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, they will not be as strong as other gemstones. But even though they are outperformed by more resistant stones like amethysts, emeralds and rubies, this does not mean that they will crack or break from the slightest bump or fall.
However, as long as we avoid strenuous physical activities and manual labor while wearing our opal jewelry, or remove our jewelry, we can rest assured that the opal will be safe.
Opals may be found on Mars
Although there are few sources of this precious stone on our planet, another surprising fact is that it could also be found elsewhere in outer space. This is suggested by the findings of the rover that was sent to the planet Mars and that, in 2015, was able to detect in its exploration what appear to be opal deposits on the surface of the planet. So the opal regions of Mars could now be a good target for future exploration for signs of life..
As we have already mentioned, opals are formed by rain. Which means that, in some way or another, water has existed or continues to exist on Mars. Perhaps not on its surface, because its thin atmosphere prevents it, but it could remain liquid underground.
The origin of his name
It is believed that the name of the stone was adopted from the Latin word «opalus». However, others believe that it is derived from the ancient Greek word “orpallios” which means a color change. Although about opals and their name it is possible that there is much in dispute and that it does not come from any of these words. Well, there are those who claim that it derives from the Sanskrit word «úpala» which means precious stone.
They come mainly from Australia
The conditions necessary to form opals only occurred in certain parts of the world millions of years ago, which means they appear in only a few places. These include: Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, United States, Peru, Ethiopia and Nicaragua.
But one fact some people probably don’t know about opals is that 95% of the world’s opals and specifically all black opals come from Australia. So it is not surprising that it is the national gemstone of this country.
can be synthesized
What you may not have known about opals is that like most gemstones, opals can also be made in a laboratory. But this is not something recent, the first opal created in a laboratory was synthesized for the first time in 1974 by Pierre Gilson.
However, since then the technology for the synthesis of opals has greatly improved. So today’s lab-grown opals don’t have the lizard-skin pattern they once did. This has allowed synthetic opals to have non-directional patterns that make them look much more like natural opals. Although lab created opals, they can still be distinguished due to the lack of inclusions in the stone.
They are classified as minerals, not crystals.
Opals are a hydrated amorphous form of silica and are considered mineraloids, as are obsidian, amber, and pearl. A mineraloid is a natural substance that does not show crystallinity, which means that the mineral’s atoms are not arranged in crystalline structures, or this is not uniform.
They can contain up to 20% water
Because they do not have a hard crystalline structure, these mineraloids often retain a large amount of water. That can sometimes reach up to 20 percent of its weight, which can cause cracks. Although opals are cured in most cases to prevent cracking, extreme dryness can damage the stone. Therefore, it is not recommended to expose them to dry or hot environments.
The oval cabochon is the most common cut for opals.
When opals are cut to design jewelry, they are commonly made into oval cabochons. Because this shape not only brings out surface features such as luster, but also provides the best play of color and prevents the stone from breaking. But when it comes to rare opals, cutters sometimes consider free-shaping them to maximize color play.
The Virgin Rainbow is the most expensive opal in the world.
The most expensive opal in the world is the Virgin Rainbow and is valued at more than 1,000,000 dollars. This exceptional specimen was discovered in Australia in 2003 by John Dunstan. It is an opal that was formed in the skeleton of a belemnite, an ancient ancestor of today’s cuttlefish. The good thing is that we can appreciate it in all its splendor. Well, it’s currently owned by the South Australian Museum, where it’s on display.