10 Awesome Facts About Opals

Opal is one of the most beautiful gemstone in the world. There is always so much more than meets the eye for opals. Here at Opal Auctions we live and breath everything there is about Opals. They have an amazing display of colours with mesmerising patterns. They look beautiful on earrings, pendants, rings, brooch, watches and on so many different settings. Opals are definitely unique, but have you ever wanted to know what they’re all about? Or have you ever wondered where opal is found, how opal is formed, the history of opals, the amazing metaphysical benefits, royal ties, birthstone facts and so much more? Here is a video of 10 awesome facts about opals that you might have not known. 

1) Birthstone For October

Opal is the official birthstone for October. Metaphysically opal symbolises purity and hope. It has been regarded as a protective stone, as it keeps the wearer from harm. Opal is a great gift for your loved ones born this month.

2) Formed By Rain

The beautiful opal is formed from rain. There is some conjecture on how exactly this precious gemstone forms, but many believe it is formed when water from rain seeps down into crevasses in the rock. Once the water evaporates, the silica that is left behind dries out and hardens into precious opal.

3) Martian Opal

Opal has been found on Mars! It is one of only a handful of gemstones that have ever been discovered outside of our planet (the other gemstone being Peridot that’s found from outer space).

4) Ancient Opal

Opallios is the Greek word for Opals meaning To see a change of colour. The Roman word for Opal is Opalus meaning precious stone. The ancient Greeks believed that opals were formed from the tears of joy wept by Zeus when he defeated the titans, and that the opal bestowed prophetic powers.

5) The Queen Of Gemstones

The ancient Romans considered it a symbol of hope and good fortune. A roman scholar in 75AD summed up our beautiful opal saying: “Some opal carry such a play within them that they equal the deepest and richest colors of painters. Others…simulate the flaming fire of burning sulphur and even the bright blaze of burning oil.” He marveled that this kaleidoscopic gem encompassed the red of ruby, the green of emerald, the yellow of topaz, the blue of sapphire, and the purple of amethyst.” This is why Opal is commonly called the Queen of Gemstones.

6) Australian Opal

Australia produces around 95% of the worlds opals. The majority of this Opal is white Opal from the fields of Coober Pedy in South Australia.

SHOP FOR AUSTRALIAN BLACK OPAL

7) Opals In Aboriginal History

Australian native Aborigines tell us that opal is our creator’s footprint, that touched the Earth at the base of a rainbow to bring harmony.

8) Are Opals Luck Or Not?

Opal is a Lucky gemstone. Most civilizations see opal as a lucky stone. There have been some exceptions to this including an English writer in the 1800’s and other gemstone marketers who say Opal is bad luck in their marketing. Maybe they realized opal is the best gemstone on earth and had to discredit it! But this campaign has failed and now Opal is even considered a talisman in some countries and a status symbol to own in others.

9) Royalty Loves Opals

Queen Victoria’s favorite gemstone was Opal! She had Sapphires, Rubies and Diamonds from all over the British empire but fell in love with the intoxicating colours of Opals.

10) More Than Meets The Eye

The play of color you see in Opal is due to millions of tiny silica Spheres of different sizes. These spheres refract light and cause the beautiful spectral colors you see in an opal. The spheres have to be just the right size and of a uniform nature to create enough color for our eyes to see.

(Image courtesy of Minsocam)

The next time someone asks you why your Opal is so special you can rattle of a few of these amazing facts about Opals.

Our Top Opal Types

Black Opal

Crystal Opal

Ethiopian Opal

Boulder Opal

Opal Jewelry

Rough Opal

Mexican Fire Opal

Opal Doublet