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Opal is related to its more commonly found but highly crystalline
cousins quartz and
agate, and is formed from amorphous
"balls" or lumps" of silica rather that from ordered, naturally
faceted crystals. The most striking quality of opal is its ability
to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. In fact, the
term "opalescence" was coined to describe this phenomenon.
The name opal comes from the Latin "opalus", which in turn is coming
from the Greek "opalios", itself coming from the Sanskrit "upala"
meaning precious stone.
Opal is classified in three primary types according to its body
color supporting the play of colors. These types are black, white,
and transparent. Transparent opal can have body colors such as
colorless, yellow, brown, red, or orange. The later is better
known under the name of fire opal.
The
ancients believed that the storm god, jealous of the beauty of the
rainbow god, broke the rainbow and that pieces of the rainbow
falling to the earth became a part of the opal.
The ancient Greeks believed
opal could give to the wearer the power of foresight. The Romans
revered opal as the symbol of hope and purity, and believed it could
protect from disease. Eastern people regarded it as the symbol of
truth. The Ancient Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in
flashes of lightning, and that's how they received their fiery
color.
In the Middle Ages, young, fair-haired girls wore opals in their
hair to protect its lovely blond color. It was also said to have a
beneficial effect on eyesight. It was thought to banish evil
spirits and favor children, the theater, amusements, friendships and
feelings.The Native Americans and the
Australian Aborigines have used opal to invoke visions and it is
known as a "stone of happy dreams and changes".
Opals are very powerful in ritual magic. Since a quality
opal contains every color of every other birthstone, it can be used
or charged with all the energies and powers of the other stones
combined and can be used in place of any birthstone for spells,
rituals or other magical needs. Opals have been linked to
invisibility and astral projection. and have been used to recall
past lives (each color supposedly represents a past life).
Opal, alternating with
tourmaline, is the birthstone for October. It
is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th and 18th years of marriage. |
