Compared by artists to galaxies and volcanoes, opal is one of the most beautiful gemstones. Thanks to its unique play of colors, it has been valued by many cultures throughout history, captivating people for centuries. In this article, we will explore the rich history of opal, from its discovery to its contemporary use in jewelry and other decorative items.
Occurrence
Found in the territory of Ethiopia in the region of the Mediterranean Sea around 4000 BC, opal quickly gained popularity. It was used for making jewelry and utility objects, but the discovered deposits quickly became exhausted, and with the decline in supply, interest in the rainbow gem decreased. Small deposits were later discovered in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and in the 18th century, new, rich opal deposits were found in Mexico, which caused it to regain popularity. In the 1980s In the 19th century, huge deposits of the highest quality mineral were discovered in Australia, which has since become the main producer of opal in the world. On a smaller scale, it is also currently mined in Brazil, Ethiopia, India, and the USA.
Curiosity
One of the most famous opals in the world is the “Olympic Australis,” which was discovered in South Australia in 1956. It weighs 17,000 carats and is valued at over 2.5 million dollars. The gemstone is currently housed in the South Australian Museum and is a popular tourist attraction.
Structure of opal
Opals are formed as a result of geological processes, such as volcanism, hydrothermal activity, and weathering. The mineral consists mainly of hydrated silica, in which the crystals arrange in an amorphous structure, which means they do not have a regular crystal lattice – it is this property that gives opal its unique colors. The sparkling effect of the gem is known as theopaloropalescence is the result of light diffraction through the structure of the stone. Depending on the conditions in which it formed, opal can be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and the “background” color of the stone can take on the hue of white, black, as well as any other color of the visible spectrum. Black opal is considered the rarest – it can cost over ten thousand dollars per carat! – while white, gray, and green opals are the most common.
Origin of the name
As we mentioned above, opal, like no other gemstone, shimmers with an extraordinary play of colors and shades, which includes, among others, ruby red, emerald green, topaz yellow, sapphire blue, and amethyst purple. This remarkable property is reflected in the name of the stone – it is believed to originate from the Sanskrit wordsunburn (Upl), which means ‘jewel’, which later the Greek language changed to opal-like(ὀπάλλιος – ‘to see a change of color’), whereas in Latin the name opal comes from the word ‘opalus’, related to Sanskrit meaning ‘precious stone’ or ‘valuable stone’.
Ancient Beliefs
The Egyptians were the first to recognize the value of stone and began using it in creating jewelry – both for personal adornment and for funerary purposes – believing that opal possessed mystical powers and could protect the wearer from harm in earthly life and after death. Similarly, the indigenous people of Australia – the Aboriginals believed that opal had high vibrations and could be used for healing the body as well as for protecting spiritual energy. The stone was also used for medicinal purposes – the ancient Greeks believed that opal could cure diseases of the eyes, liver, and kidneys; powdered stone was often added to medicines. In all ancient beliefs, opal was considered a symbol of hope, purity, and fidelity.
Jewelry and other items
Opal is still a valued gemstone, used in the production of ornaments and artistic jewelry, for example, in the making of cups and cutlery. Due to its delicate structure (on the ten-point Mohs scale, opal has a hardness of 6), it requires careful handling and special care. Regardless of whether it is used in the creation of custom jewelry – rings, earrings, necklaces – or decorative items, opal is a beautiful addition to any collection. At the 79 Diamonds workshop, we will create your dream jewelry adorned with this exceptional, rainbow gemstone.