What on Earth Is Opal?

Opal is a hydrated form of silicon dioxide with an amorphous structure, which makes it a mineraloid rather than a true mineral. Prized for its play of colour, it has two main varieties: white opal and black opal. Shops stock opal as gemstone beads and cut and polished stones.

A glimpse of each angle flashes a radiating multi-spectral beam that will leave you the impression of a stone harnessing the wonders of a rainbow. No wonder this dazzling gemstone is dubbed as the Eye Stone, because it is definitely a sight for sore eyes.

The History of Opal

Uniquely possessing a wide array of colours are the characteristics that captured Pliny the Elder's interest in this stone. According to the Roman historian, opal holds the refined combination of garnet, amethyst, and emerald.

During the Roman era, opal was also revered for its capacity to diffract light into the brilliant colours of the rainbow, hence, giving it the title of Queen of Gems.

The Lore of Opal

Despite opal's evident charms, there came a time when the opal we once desired and adored, became opal, the stone of evil. You may have heard of an old wives tale saying that ˜opals bring you bad luck'.

This tainted reputation came to be because of Sir Walter Scott's best-selling novel, Anne of Geierstein or The Maiden of the Mist, written in the 19^th century.

The story goes when the novel's character, Lady Hermione, turned into ashes after holy water was sprinkled on her opal-bedazzled hair, causing the opal to become drab and then subsequently destroying the opal.

At that time, the public was too naive and literally took it as a warning that opals will bring them misfortune; hence, the crash of the European opal market and the birth of a widely circulating superstition.

Fortunately, opal's reputation bounced back in the 20^th century because people just can't seem to resist an opal's incandescent splendor.

Opal in Modern Crystal Lore

Contrary to the old superstition, modern crystal lore sees opal as a stone of optimism, creativity and artistic expression, a prism for the light in the wearer's life. These are symbolic associations only.

Overall, opals aren't half as bad as people once thought, and today they are simply loved as one of the most colourful gems around. For more ideas, see our jewellery beads.

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