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Opal
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Click the photograph to see a short movie of this opal in motion. |
The word opal is from the Sanskrit upala, "precious stone."
Gem quality opal occurs in a variety of places around the world. There are some notable sources in the Western United States and Canada. Beautiful precious opal occurs as a replacement after wood in the Virgin Valley area of Nevada; the location of our mine, the Opal Negra. Opal Butte in the southwest corner of the Blue Mountain range in Oregon produces colorful crystal, jelly, fire, and precious opals. The Spencer Opal Mine in Idaho is a source of precious white opal. A find of some significance recently occurred in the Okanagon area of British Columbia.
Paul B. Downing, Ph.D., noted opal authority and author of several well known books on opal, opal valuation and opal cutting wrote an appendix to his Opal: Advanced Cutting & Setting that discusses the terminology used to describe the various forms of opal. His publisher, Majestic Press, has graciously allowed us to reprint it here.
There are many many varieties of opal. So many that the terms become confusing even amongst professionals. You can find a partial list here.
Lore
Opal has been revered by man since the dawn of time. Archaeologist Louis Leakey discovered six-thousand year old opal artifacts in Kenya. The early Greeks believed that opal bestowed the power of prophecy. The ancient Romans believed opal to be a symbol of hope and purity. The Arabs once believed that opal fell from heaven.
Shakespeare praised opal as "the queen of gems" in Twelfth Night.
During the 19th century the popularity of opal suffered due in part to Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein, in which opal was associated with bad luck.
Opal is said to enhance intuition and creativity. It is believed by some to bestow the power of invisibility.
It’s medicinal uses have included purification of the blood, treatment of eye diseases and to provide comfort and ease during childbirth.
At one time it was believed that opal would prevent blonde hair from turning dark.
Opal is one of the birthstones for October.
George Frederick Kunz, America’s most famous gemologist , wrote a number of works on gem lore.
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