Oh, the spectral delight that is Opal, or known as the “Eye Stone.” Just like lightning in the sky, it flashes its brilliance with even the slightest of movements and claims attention by all who witness its phenomenal glimmer. This is a stone so pleasing to the sight and is familiar for inspiring love and hope, innocence and purity, luck and happiness. The name Opal is derived from the Sanskrit word “upala”, meaning valuable stone. It is believed to have its roots in the Greek term “opallios” which translates to color change.
Thought to have been discovered as long as 4,000 years ago, various myths and lore from different cultures envelop this brilliant gemstone. The ancient Greeks thought opals to be the tears of Zeus, the god of sky and valued them as highly as diamonds. They believed opals bestowed the power of foresight and prophecy on the wearer, ensuring his success in wars, business and life.
The Australian aborigine’s legend goes that the “opal is the creator’s footprint that touched the Earth at the base of a rainbow to bring harmony”. However, they also believed in a more sinister origin that they thought opals to be half serpent and half devil and that the brightly colored fire within the stone was an attempt to lure them into Satan’s lair.
The ancient Romans associated opals with hope and purity and believed that the gemstone could cure illnesses. While in ancient India, opals were referred to as the “Goddess of the Rainbow, who turned to stone”. In the ancient Arab cultures, they presumed that opals had fallen from the sky and that the play of color or the iridescent effect was due to lightning trapped inside. They also believed that opals could make the wearer invisible!
In spite of these superstitions opals have been thought to possess healing powers in many cultures around. In the middle ages, it was also known as Opthalmius, or Eye Stone and was thought to strengthen eyesight. Opal was also considered a stone that could grant the owner great luck, as it was believed to possess all the virtues of other gemstones whose colors were represented in the color spectrum of opal.
At one point Opals had become so popular that it began to rival the diamond in popularity, so the diamond merchants began a rumor that opals were a symbol of bad luck. It was quite effective at that time and till date a lot of people still believe in this.
Queen Elizabeth II, however, dispelled these rumors and helped opals to gain back its popularity. Throughout her reign she wore opals herself and even gave her daughters as gifts. The queen’s efforts have been credited to help opal shed its bad reputation.
There are different types of opals which represent different meanings and characteristics, let’s take a look:
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Black Opal: Black Opal is believed to be a protective stone which shields the body and the mind from negative energies. Simply carrying or wearing this stone can release you of toxic thoughts and anxiety.
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White Opal: White Opals are often associated with purity, love, goodness and nurturing. It is believed to spread a calming sense on the wearer and soothes restlessness, racing thoughts and helps focus on the present.
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Fire Opal: Fire Opals are popular for possessing many positive attributes. It is said to help people recover from emotional traumas by boosting their confidence. It also symbolizes the joy of the heart and is said to attract money and financial power.
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Ethiopian Opal: Ethiopian opals are believed to be emotional intensifiers, as they enhance the true nature of the owner. It also shields the wearer from negative energies and strengthens the will to live.
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Australian Blue Opal: Cherished as a great healing stone, Australian blue opals are believed to bring a sense of calming effect on the wearer. It is said to release tension, anxiety and depression by promoting thoughts of peace. It is also known to boost self confidence.
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Boulder Opal: Unique and special, boulder opals are known to be nature’s talismans. Boulder opals are known to carry energies which help people to discover and get close to their spiritual sides. It brings clarity and emotional security to the wearer.
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Crystal Opal: Popular for its translucency and an exceptional color play, Crystal opals are majestic. They are known to be great healers as it brings high spirits and a deep feeling of joy on the wearer.
Otherwise known as the “October birthstone”, Opals are mined in various parts of the world namely the United States, Brazil, Ethiopia and Mexico.
Get closer to your intuitions with our Opal collection.