Opals are one of those stones where you find new details every time you look at it! As you move your Opal you can watch the colours change ~ a little pink or orange; a flash of green and then blue where you didn't notice blue being there before.
As the birthstone for October or under Libra // 23 of Sept - 22 of October, we thought it was time to give these Opals some attention.
Here are some of our favourite things to know about Opals.
1. Opals begin with water, silica and time. In Australian deposits, water carrying dissolved silica seeped through cracks in the earth. As the water gradually evaporated, it left behind deposits that became Opal. Water remains within the stone’s structure, which is part of what makes it different from many other gemstones.
2. Those flashes of colour are called play-of-colour. Tiny silica spheres arranged within precious Opal diffract light, creating the colours we see as we move the stone. A single Opal can reveal blue, green, pink, orange and red. Not all Opals have this effect, though. Those without it are known as Common Opal.
3. We’re lucky to have beautiful Opals here in Australia. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales is famous for Black Opal, Coober Pedy in South Australia is known for White Opal, and Queensland produces Boulder Opal. They’re also found in other parts of the world, including Ethiopia, Mexico and Brazil. A lovely reminder of what can be found in our own backyard.
4. Opals come in more varieties than you might expect. You may first picture a milky white stone, but Black Opals have a darker background that makes their colours stand out. Crystal Opals have a more transparent appearance, while Boulder Opals keep some of the natural rock they formed within. We love that you can still see a little of where they came from.
5. No two natural Opals are exactly alike. Some have tiny flecks of colour scattered across their surface. Others show larger patches that appear and disappear as you turn them. You might love the soft pink in one and the bright green in another. Choosing a gemstone is often like that. There’s the information on paper, and then there’s the one you keep coming back to.
6. Opals need a little extra care. They sit between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which measures resistance to scratching. They’re also vulnerable to chips and fractures from knocks. If you’re considering an Opal ring, think about how you’ll wear it. A protective setting can help, but it’s a piece to take off before gardening, exercising or working with your hands (always).
7. Keep cleaning gentle. A solid, untreated Opal can generally be cleaned with lukewarm water and a little mild soap. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, high heat and sudden temperature changes. Doublets and triplets are made with glued layers, so these shouldn’t be soaked. If you’re unsure what you have, check with your jeweller first. When you take your piece off, give it a spot of its own so harder gemstones won’t scratch it.
8. Opals have held meaning for people for centuries. The Ancient Romans treasured them for holding the colours of other gemstones, while European traditions linked them with hope, purity and truth. We’ve always loved the way a stone can be chosen for its beauty and then become meaningful through the person who wears it.
9. An October birthday is just one reason to choose an Opal. They’re also traditionally given for a 14th wedding anniversary. Perhaps yours marks a birthday, someone you love, or a new chapter. Or perhaps you simply love it. That’s reason enough, too.
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If you enjoy choosing jewellery for what it represents, here are three intentions you might connect with your Opal.
Spiritual Meaning: Hope and possibility. A small reminder to stay open to what’s ahead, even when you don’t have it all figured out.
Emotional Meaning: Individuality. Choosing what you love and allowing yourself to wear it in your own way.
Personal Intention: To notice the little things. The colour that catches your eye, the piece you reach for, the things that make an ordinary day feel good.