If you are a lover of colors, the opal may be your gemstone. It’ 
s famous for its
spectacular colors like flashes of lightning in a rainbow.
Captured by Colors
Precious opal ranges from clear
through white, gray, red, orange,
yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose,
pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of
these hues, the black opals are the
most rare, and the white and greens
are the most common.
The ‘precious opal’ has an internal
structure of spheres that makes it
diffract light to take on many colors like
a rainbow. Many find the unique play of colors for each gemstone to be both
lovely and fascinating.
Besides the gemstone varieties that show a play of rainbow color, there are other
kinds of opals. They include the ‘common opal’ in milky colors as well as the ‘fire
opal’ in vivid red, orange or yellow.
How It’s Formed
Opal was formed many millions of years ago, when a combination of silica and
water flowed into cracks and spaces in the ground. The material slowly hardened
and solidified to become opal.
A Fragile Gem
Opals contain water, which makes them very sensitive to heat. They are soft and
can be cracked or chipped easily. Opals should be stored in moist absorbent
cotton.
Meaning of Opal
In the Middle Ages, opal was considered a stone that could provide great luck
because it was believed to possess all the benefits of each gemstone color
represented in the many colors within an opal.
Today, this gemstone is said to promote the energies of healing, love, money,
and luck.
The opal is also the birthstone for the month of October.
Uses in Jewelry
Opals are widely popular in jewelry. They make
beautiful pendants, rings, and strung bead
jewelry.
DIY or Have It Custom Made
You can make your own jewelry with opal
gemstones. They’re available online at
Ny6Designs Beads and Jewelry Supply and at
the store at 1023 S. Greenville Ave., Allen, TX.
Don’t know how to make jewelry? No worries.
You may want to take a class or inquire about our
custom-made jewelry service. Phone 214-509-
6700.
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