5 Facts About Opal

"OPAL" AUSTRALIAN FOR DIAMOND

Opal is October's birthstone. This magical stone has been under some controversy for years, and has been around for ages, but so many people know very little about it. So here's a few facts that you may not have known about this mysterious gemstone.

OPAL IS NOT TOO FRAGILE TO WEAR

OPAL IS AS HARD AS JADE OR AMETHYST. IT IS HARDER AND TOUGHER THAN TURQOUISE. TRUE, IT CAN CRACK, BUT THE NORMAL CAUSE OF CRACKED OPALS IS USUALLY AN INAPPROPRIATE SETTING, WHICH MAY MAKE THE STONE MORE PRONE TO KNOCKS AND HARD BUMPS.

Boulder Opal wrapped in 14k Gold 

OPAL ISN'T BAD LUCK

The story started in 18th century london as opal was leaving the diamond market to ruin, and a man by the name of Sir Walter Scott (yes, that Sir Walter Scott) wrote the bad luck rumor into his book Anne of Geierstein after diamond merchants urged him to. Throughout history, however, opal has been referred to as the luckiest and most magical of all gems because of it's properties. It's actually a very popular engagement ring stone in Japan and very popular around the world!

OPAL DOESN'T NEED TO BE SOAKED IN WATER

If it's not a form of hydroplane and is a good solid opal, (not a doublet or triplet) it's just not worth the time. Most opals are about 5-6% water! And not porous so even baby oil wont really do much but make your opal oily. 

Fire Opal

OPAL HAS MYSTICAL ROOTS EVERYWHERE

Even the Ancient arabs believed opal was a gift of nature, being delivered to stone by the cracks of lightning shooting to the ground. 

Straw Pattern Lightning Ridge Opal

OPAL IS VERY VALUABLE

Top quality Black Opal can actually be more valuable per carat than diamonds. 

Harlequin Pattern Black Opal 

So there you have it. Even if this isn't your birthstone, or you're very clumsy, don't rule this incredible stone out when it comes time to pick your next piece. Each one is different, and each one is beautiful. As they say in Australia, "The only bad luck with opal is not owning one."