Opals -Fire and Beauty. What to look out for when buying opal jewellery and jewellery gifts

Opals -Fire and Beauty. What to look out for when buying opal jewellery and jewellery gifts

Opals are the stuff of legend! These gorgeous gem stones are popular since ancient times due to their beautiful play of colour and their opalescence, but these stones have also had the reputation of being unlucky. Do you know why this is? I want to explain a bit more about this delightful gemstone, a particular favourite of mine!



Even the name refers to beauty, due to the fact means ‘precious stone’ and originates from Latin ‘Opalus’, or Sanskrit ‘upalas’. It's the birthstone for those born in October. In addition, it appears as a Zodiac gemstone for anyone born under Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio, and is also the gemstone for the 13th wedding anniversary. Depends whether you think about the number 13 to be unlucky, Perhaps! Virtually all high quality opals are found in Australia. Opals are created by liquid silica that flowed into a hole or cavity and cooled down, consequently producing a number of really unusual forms, for instance wood, seashells and also dinosaur bones! This signifies that opals have relatively high water content, about 10%. That is why they must not be allowed to dry up. Be particularly very careful with heating radiators, or direct sunlight. I have found it’s better to store them inside a jewelry box or case when they are not being used. Soaps also affects them so don’t do the dishes with them! Not every opal is gemstone quality having said that, nevertheless the ones which are usually have to be treated to make them more appealing as well as safeguard them from becoming dry.



Opal gemstones can be manmade (either synthesized or modified in some way) and so you can find various types of opal which have been synthetically manufactured. So that you ought to be cautious when choosing opal gemstone jewelry. The man made opals are often named doublets or triplets. A doublet is usually a paper thin slice of authentic opal glued over a black backing, such as a section of black onyx stone. Triplets are basically doublets which has a clear glass, or quartz capping, as well as a plastic or stone back. A double opal is a lot more valuable compared to a triplet because it contains more of the stone. Triplets are good because they are cheaper than a full stone while looking very attractive for a fraction of the cost. They are best found in unusual engagement rings, bracelets for women and necklaces. Silver necklaces seem to suit it best. Costume jewellery often contains triplets.



Opal is a stone of protection, faithfulness and loyalty. It is said that it can enhance super sensible vision and creativity. They are mystical gemstones of high vibrations. As such, they can have a wide spectrum of application on the physical as well as on the higher levels of existence. Some say that opal is able to absorb thoughts and feelings, to enhance them, and send them back to the source. It is connected with the eye. Mostly due to superstition, opal was considered bad luck. It was believed that opal can grant its bearer a power of invisibility - therefore it gained a bad reputation as an amulet for thieves. During the middle ages opal was commonly disliked due to its similarities to the eyes of some "evil" animals. Hence, this beautiful stone used to provoke fear of the "Evil Eye". Yet others, like the Romans for example, considered that it granted protection from it, so make of that what you like! For my part, it seems a shame to let superstition stop you from enjoying this lovely stone, so why not have a look at my website, www.myjewellerystore.co.uk for some stunning examples for sale from selected stores.



Authored by Michelle Michaelis, who loves writing about jewellery almost as much as she enjoys wearing it!