Natural Stones

Origin

The word ‘opal’ derives from the Sanskrit word ‘upala’, meaning ‘precious stone’. Later, the Romans used the word ‘opalus’, which refers to the observation of a change in colour. This gemstone is indeed characterised by its iridescent play of colour, which changes depending on the light. It usually forms in ancient bodies of water, such as dried-up lakes. Opal is found in Australia, which is the world’s leading producer. It is also mined in Mexico, Brazil, Ethiopia and other countries.

The essence of the opal: a journey through colour and light

Opal has a rich and varied history, with numerous beliefs associated with its mystical powers. In ancient times, the Romans regarded it as a stone of protection and good fortune. Pliny the Elder wrote in his work *Natural History* that it was the most prized and expensive gemstone of all those found in the empire.

However, in the 19th century, it gained a reputation for bringing bad luck, partly due to Sir Walter Scott’s novel *Anne of Geierstein*, in which a character possessing a magical opal suffers a series of misfortunes. This belief was reinforced by superstitions and anecdotal incidents, even though it is largely unfounded.

Throughout history, it has adorned the crowns of royalty: in France, Hungary, the Holy Roman Empire and England. Napoleon presented Empress Josephine with *The Burning of Troy*, a stone with intense red iridescence. Very soon, renowned jewellers such as Cartier, Lalique and Tiffany began using this gemstone in their designs.

The conditions under which it forms have also allowed opals to develop within the fossilised bones of dinosaurs or molluscs. One example is a 72-carat black crystal opalised belemnite fossil found in 2003. This specimen is on display at the Adelaide Museum. A pliosaur skeleton named Eric was discovered in 1987, completely encrusted with opal.

The properties of opal in crystal healing

Opal is a gemstone with a rich palette of colours and fascinating plays of light. In crystal healing, it is valued for its many energetic and spiritual properties. Here is an overview of its main properties:

Emotional balance:

• Stabilising emotions: This gemstone is known to help stabilise emotions and bring emotional balance. It helps to calm feelings of fear, anxiety and stress.

• Expression and Release: It encourages the expression of emotions, enabling a better understanding and management of repressed feelings. It supports the release of negative emotions and past traumas, thereby promoting emotional healing and self-acceptance.

Physical Well-being:

• Regeneration: It is renowned for its regenerative properties. It is often used to aid tissue regeneration and recovery following injury or illness.

• Detoxification: It helps to detoxify the blood and kidneys, thereby promoting a healthier and more balanced body.

• Immune System: It can strengthen the immune system, boosting the body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses.

Spiritual Harmony:

• Spiritual Awakening & Transformation: Opal is a stone of spiritual awakening and promotes connection with higher dimensions and the development of intuitive and psychic abilities. This stone supports and encourages personal transformation and self-reflection. It helps one to understand and accept life’s lessons, thereby facilitating personal growth and spiritual evolution.

• Amplification & Protection: By amplifying vibrations, it helps to strengthen intentions and manifest desires. It is often used in meditation and spiritual practices to increase energy efficiency. It protects against unwanted negative influences by forming a protective shield around the aura.

• Creativity and inspiration: It stimulates creativity and imagination, helping artists and creators to find new ideas and express their art in a unique way.

Effect on the Chakras:

How can opal be combined with other semi-precious minerals?

Combining opal with other minerals can amplify its properties and create beneficial synergies in crystal healing. Here are five examples of effective combinations, with a description of their combined effects:

• Opal & Citrine: It pairs well with citrine, the stone of joy and abundance. Their combined power to bring about manifestation is amplified to attract prosperity and stimulate creativity. This combination boosts self-confidence and positive energy.
• Opal & Garnet: Garnet, with its revitalising and grounding energies, pairs well with opal to enhance vitality and passion. This combination helps to boost physical energy and strengthen determination…
• Opal & Moonstone: Moonstone is a stone of femininity and intuition. Together, they promote emotional balance and inner harmony, whilst helping to develop intuition and balance the feminine and masculine energies.
• Opal & Rose Quartz: This combination creates a gentle, soothing energy that facilitates openness to love and emotional healing. Rose quartz, known as the stone of unconditional love, fosters compassion and self-acceptance.
• Opal & Sodalite: Sodalite is known for its properties that promote mental clarity and communication. This synergy helps to enhance concentration and facilitate self-expression. Ideal for those seeking to improve their communication skills and clarify their thinking.

Care and Use of Opal

Cleansing and Recharging:

Cleansing opal is essential: it removes any negative energies the gem may have absorbed whilst in use or whilst on display in a shop.

Purification: Most opals can be purified by placing them under running water for a few minutes. This method should be avoided for Ethiopian opals, which must not come into direct contact with water. You can also place them on a cluster of quartz, an amethyst geode or salt for several hours.

Recharging: To recharge it, simply expose it to moonlight. Please note that opals are sensitive to dehydration, so avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. A Flower of Life can also be used for this purpose.

Care:

As these gemstones are sensitive to a number of factors, they require special care. Here are a few tips to help you look after your opal jewellery.

• Sun and Heat: As they are composed of a high percentage of water, opals are sensitive to dehydration. Consequently, they are sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Avoid wearing your opal jewellery for long periods in direct sunlight, as this could affect its natural lustre. Store it in cool, shaded places, away from sources of heat such as sunny windows or cars in hot weather.
• Chemicals: These stones react adversely to harsh chemicals. Avoid spraying perfume or hairspray, or applying lotions directly onto your opal jewellery. Remove it before using chemicals for cleaning, gardening or any other activity.
• Gentle cleaning: To preserve their lustre, clean them regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth after each use. Avoid brushes or abrasive materials that could scratch their delicate surface.
• Storage: Store your opal jewellery separately to prevent contact with other items. Use jewellery boxes lined with soft fabric to prevent rubbing and scratching. Do not store it with metal jewellery that could damage it.
• Impacts and scratches: As opals are relatively soft, protect them from impacts and scratches. Avoid wearing them during intense physical activities such as sport, where they could be subjected to knocks.

Ethiopian opals: a special case

Welo opals from Ethiopia are particularly sensitive to dehydration. Known for their ability to absorb moisture, they require special care to prevent loss of their lustre and the formation of cracks. Store them in damp cotton wool or in a bathroom to delay dehydration. They may temporarily become transparent and lose their lustre when in contact with water. If they get wet, be patient – a few days’ drying is enough for them to regain their original appearance. Remove your jewellery before washing your hands, swimming or taking part in water-based activities.

Uses of Opal

Meditation: This gemstone is known to strengthen the spiritual connection and open the higher chakras, thereby facilitating spiritual journeys and inner exploration. Hold it in your hand or place it on the third eye or heart chakra whilst meditating. It helps to calm the mind, soothe emotions and induce a state of deep relaxation, conducive to introspection. You can also create a sacred space by placing several opals around your meditation area to amplify the energy.

Decoration: The noble (or precious) opal, which displays a play of colours that changes depending on the angle of view, and the common opal, which lacks this effect. The iridescent effect of the noble opal is caused by the diffraction of light on an orderly and regular stack of silica nanospheres of almost identical diameter.

Mineralogy and Composition of Opal

Opal is an amorphous (its crystals have no particular shape; it is also known as a mineraloid) or partially crystallised hydrated silica, formed at low temperatures in sedimentary or volcanic environments rich in silica. It generally contains between 4 and 10 per cent water, and sometimes more than 20 per cent. It can also occur as a pseudomorph after mineral or organic substances.

Formation:

Geologically, opal forms as a weathering mineral within the first few hundred metres below the Earth’s surface through the circulation of water. The weathering of silicate rocks releases silica into the water, which then precipitates to form opal. A distinction is made between continental meteoric weathering contexts and hydrothermal weathering contexts involving the circulation of hot water.

Physical Properties of Opal

Transparency and appearance:

Transparency: Varies from transparent to opaque

Appearance: Opal can display a wide range of colours (almost all are represented) with characteristic play-of-colour effects caused by the diffraction of light by the silica microspheres.

Colour: The magnificent iridescent colours of precious opal arise from the play of light created by its internal structure, where regularly arranged silica spheres cause interference of light waves (diffraction). In contrast, common opal does not exhibit this effect. White, blue, grey and black reflections are fairly common, but red reflections, caused by larger spheres (around 350 nanometres), are very rare.

Sudamerica Stones: your choice for opal jewellery

Sudamerica Stones stands out for its in-depth expertise in the selection and crafting of natural opal jewellery. Each piece is carefully chosen for its exceptional quality, ensuring jewellery that showcases the natural beauty of this gemstone. From precious Australian opals to magnificent Ethiopian Welo opals and common opals, Sudamerica Stones offers a diverse range to suit all tastes. Your satisfaction is important to us! Our team is always on hand to help and advise you.

Characteristics and quality of opals:

The value of an opal is determined by several key factors, including colour, shape, size, clarity and provenance. Here is a detailed guide to understanding these criteria:

Varieties of opals and their origins

Opal FAQ