Learn About Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
Opal
- Hydrated Silica
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
- Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October Birthstone
Round
Oval
Pear
Round
Oval
PearOverview
Opal is a gorgeous semi-precious gemstone that has been alluring people for centuries with its distinct beauty. It is famed for showcasing a vivid play-of-color, the term ‘play-of-color’ can be described as an optical phenomenon that causes the gem to flash various hues and patterns when it is moved or due to a reaction with light.
This stone’s popularity dwindled considerably when author Sir Walter Scott’s novel "Anne of Geierstein" was published in the year 1829. The story gave the impression that opal was demonic and wearing it would bring bad luck. It is believed that this caused the opal market to crash and price dropped by almost 50 percent.
1. Key Origin
- Approximately 97% of the world's opal supply comes from Australia.
- This gem is also mined in Mexico and several other countries across the globe.
- Opals that display black and red hues are extremely rare.
2. Associations
- Throughout the ages, opal was considered to be a powerful stone that induced mystical vision and enhanced creativity
- The Romans associated opal with fidelity, hope and purity, while the early Greeks believed it could foretell the future.
Properties
Rated 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Opals are delicate and score a rating of 5.5 - 6.5 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which means they are susceptible to scratches and breakage. Shallow crazing (surface cracks) if filled correctly will only make a small deduction in value. Fractures will drastically reduce their price and cracked opals are not suitable for jewelry. Additional care needs to be taken if you intend to wear an opal ring, bracelet, necklace or earrings on a daily basis.
02Treatment
Opals are generally untreated, but enhancements are often done to improve their appearance and durability. While there are a number of methods that are utilized to bring out their play-of-color, sugar and smoke treatment remain the most common.
Opal is wrapped in paper before being subjected to heat and smoke. This causes the particles of soot to penetrate the surface of the gem, giving it a darker background color and elevating the play-of-color.
Know About Other Gems
Opal
"Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!”
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
- Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
- Round
Oval
Pear
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a opal's true value:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- The color of an opal plays a significant role in determining its value.
- The more commonly seen hues include blue and green, while warmer tones such as orange, pink, yellow and red are rare.
- The presence of pink is highly valued in an opal, but pure red is prized even more.
02Carat
- This gem occurs naturally in a variety of sizes, and is typically measured in carats.
- During the evaluation of an opal, it is given a price 'per carat'.
- The overall carat size of the stone will then influence its value.
03Clarity
- Saturation, hue and tone are the components that determine an opal’s clarity.
- Clarity of this gem is also influenced by the degree of transparency, along with the absence or lack of inclusions.
- More visible flaws are, the more they’ll bring down the value of opal.
04Cuts
- Opals, unlike other gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires, are not typically faceted.
- They are mostly cut into rounded cabochons and are set into a variety of jewelry, such as opal earrings, bracelets, rings.
- This gem is also used for carving small figurines, pretty curios and other decorative objects.
Quality & Grading
Based on its various properties, an opal can be further distinguished into the following categories of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Milky with high Play of Colour | Opaque & Surface Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Opal Sunflower Inspired Cocktail Ring with Diamonds$3599 |
| Best (AAA) |  Milky with medium Play of Colour | Opaque & Very Slight Surface Blemishes | High | Top 10% |
V-Bale Pear-Shaped Opal Solitaire Pendant$269 |
| Better (AA) |  Milky with Low Play of Colour | Opaque & Slight Surface Blemishes | Medium | Top 33% |
Bezel-Set Round Opal Solitaire Necklace$189 |
| Good (A) |  Milky with Very Low Play of Colour | Opaque & Surface Blemishes | Low | Top 75% |
Opal Infinity Heart Pendant with Diamond Accents$589 |
Latest Pick from Opal Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Solitaire Oval Opal Criss Cross Ring with Diamonds
$1089
Oval Solitaire Opal Cocktail Ring
$1129
Opal and Diamond Twisted Vine Ring
$1639
Solitaire Oval Opal Split Shank Ring with Trio Diamonds
$1369
Solitaire Opal Infinity Knot Ring
$989
Care Instructions
Similar to diamonds, sapphires are durable and apt for regular wear. However, over time and frequent wear, dirt and grime may settle on your jewelry, making even the most valuable ones look faded and dull. Keeping your jewelry clean is the best way to retain its dazzle for a long time. Here are a few tips that you can follow to keep your sapphire jewelry shining.
FAQs
1. How do opals get their kaleidoscopic play of color?
Opals get their stunning play of color from their unique internal structure of tiny silica spheres. When light enters, it bounces around, creating a rainbow effect. The size and arrangement of these spheres dictate the colors: larger ones produce fiery reds and oranges, while smaller ones generate calming blues and greens.
2. What is the significance of opals as birthstones?
October babies hit the jackpot with opals! Their ever-shifting play-of-color symbolizes hope, purity and truth.
3. How to avoid cracks in opals?
To prevent cracks in opals, it’s essential to protect them from sudden temperature changes and low humidity, as these can cause the stone to dry out and crack. Avoid exposing opals to harsh chemicals or prolonged sunlight, and always store them in a soft, padded container to minimize the risk of physical damage. Regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth will help maintain their beauty without causing damage.
4. Which are some rare varieties of opals?
While most people are familiar with the classic white opal, there are other varieties worth noting. Boulder opals have a rich, earthy appeal with color patterns that come from the natural rock. Fire opals are vibrant, with fiery orange to red hues and water opals have a translucent quality that’s mesmerizing!
5. Can opals change color over time?
Yes, opals can change color over time if exposed to extreme conditions, but with proper care, they will retain their vibrant play of color for a lifetime.
6. Are opals valuable?
Yes, opals are highly valued gemstones, with their price depending on factors such as color, play-of-color intensity, clarity and size. Black opals and boulder opals are among the rarest and most valuable types.
7. What are the differences between black opals, fire opals and white opals?
Black opals have a dark body tone and vibrant play of color, fire opals feature a bright orange-red hue with minimal play of color. On the other hand, white opals have a milky body tone with softer, pastel color flashes. Each type is unique and caters to different preferences.
