O is for Opal

Opal mean precious stone, later the Greek derivative “OPALLIOS” means to see a change of color. The opal stone is so distinctive, that everyone can identify it. Like lighting in a rainbow, it flashes its brilliance with the slightest movement. It became very popular during the Victorian era and highly prized in Roman Jewelry. The vibrant color within an opal resemble the color of falls so it is an appropriate birthstone for the month of October.

The play of color from opals formation process which is much different than many other gems, the more brilliant the color, or fire, the more valuable the gem. All Opal varies greatly in the color of fire. Opal shows just about every shade of color in a variety of combination.

There are many variations of the Opal stone such as Crystal Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Boulder Opal, Ethiopian Opal, White Opal, Peruvian Opal and more. Opals are among the visually most attractive gemstones. Australia is the leading source of Opals, but it can also be found in Mexico (Fire Opal), Peru (Peruvian Opal) & Brazil.

Opal is a delicate and soft stone, and somewhat porous in which case it is dangerous to immerse in liquids other than water. The stones should never be kept in oil or clean with any jewelry solutions. Opal contain about 20% of water, so should never be placed in a dry place for a long period of time. If opals get too dry they tend wrinkle and crack. To keep your opal from drying it maybe helpful to keep it in a moist environment. Your opal will last a long time with proper care.

Opals have been connected to love and passion, so why not purchase a piece of our beautiful Opal jewelry to either find love or enhance it.