Opal is a member of the mineral family. Composed of hydrated silica with inclusions of various elements, its water content varies from 3 to 20% depending on the variety and type of stone. Opal has a transparency ranging from translucent to opaque. Its brilliance varies from vitreous to opaque, even pearly, resinous, greasy, etc ... If it resists exposure to flame, the opal still takes on a dull and crackling luster under the action of its heat. Its hardness is between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale.
There are two main varieties of opals. The noble opals of an iridescent nature with a brightness that borrows all the colors of the light spectrum. They are highly valued by jewelers and are the rarest and most expensive. The other variety of opals is more common. They take on unique colors and come under various names including fire opals (from red to yellow), milky white opals, woody opals, hyalite (colorless or slightly tinged with blue or green), jelly opal (gray-blue). .
The most interesting opal deposits are found mainly in North America, Mexico, the United States and Canada, but also in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil ... Australia is currently the country that produces the most opals in the world.
History of the Opal
The origin of the term opal derives from the Sanskrit word upala which means "precious stone". This word would later give the Greek word opallion and then the Latin word opalus. According to this etymology, some speak of the Indian origin of the first opals discovered by the Romans.
Opals have enameled the myths and legends of different civilizations and peoples. For the Greco-Romans it was a stone of purity that favored clairvoyance and prophecies. For the aborigines of Australia, the opal would be the fruit of the visit of the deity who created their ancestors on earth. After walking the rainbow to come to earth, where he stepped, the stones began to glow with the colors of the spectrum of light.
Until the end of the Renaissance in Europe, opal was always considered a powerful lucky charm brought by kings and powerful people in the courts of the kingdoms of the old continent.
Virtue of opal
Each opal has its own virtues and characteristics that differentiate it according to its shape, color, composition, etc ... We will therefore try to mention the general characteristics and advantages common to all opals.
For the body, opal would have calming, pain-relieving virtues. It also has antiseptic properties to remedy infections. Its beneficial action regulates the kidneys and bladder, as well as gastric and digestive disorders.
On the psychological and spiritual level, opal is the stone of love feelings par excellence. Symbol of tenderness and purity, it strengthens positive qualities and bestows joy, clear vision and insight purified from the negative ailments of everyday life. Some opals, such as black opal, would act as a stimulant against fatigue and apathy. Its spiritual action pushes to overcome the ego and unlocks the spirit of all bonds and dams to promote spiritual elevation. Stone of courage and wisdom, it will be the perfect ally to face the challenges of life. Opal's favorite chakras are the coronal chakra, the base chakra, the heart chakra, and the solar plexus chakra.
The astrological signs most favorable to opal vary according to the color of the stone. Note that the clear stones are quite favorable to the signs of Cancer, Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces ...
Purification is easily done by immersing the stone in distilled water. To charge it gently, just expose it to moonlight. Exposure to sunlight should give it strength and intensity.
