Traditionally, Opal is the Birthstone for October
Opals are the most misunderstood and maligned gemstones of all. Each one is unique, and their colors are unsurpassed in the gemstone world.
While most of us think of opals as being from Australia, opals are
mined in many different locations, all over the world. Opals are found
in Mexico, where the finest ones are a deep, rich orange color. They
are also found in Honduras, Hungary, and the United States.
There is really no other gemstone that displays the intense, bright myriad of colors
that opal does. Fine opals command incredibly high prices, and must always be worn with care, as they are susceptible to cracking and breaking rather easily. One of our customers had her opal fissure throughout the entire stone, by just going from the heat of her home in the winter, outside into the frigid air.
Ethiopian opals, of which we are very fond, seem to be a lot harder than most of
those that come from Australia. We have not tested how easily opals from other
countries can be damaged, but we have damaged a few of our own inventory, that
came from Australia. Once in a while one will drop on the floor, or the pressure
of setting them in prongs or a bezel, chipped them. We have not had that happen
with any of the opals from Ethiopia, however, they are still not as resilient as
the harder gemstones.
Below you will find some interesting trivia about opals:
The Romans called it "Cupid stone" because they felt it was a symbol of hope and purity.
We have heard so many customers tell us that their jeweler
instructed them to put a light coating of baby oil or mineral oil on
their opal, to keep it in prime condition.
We all know that water and oil don't mix - well, not usually - and
opal's exquisite beauty comes from the water molecules within the stone.
DO NOT COAT YOUR OPALS WITH OIL, OF ANY KIND!
Opals are the most misunderstood and maligned gemstones of all. Each one is unique, and their colors are unsurpassed in the gemstone world.
While most of us think of opals as being from Australia, opals are
mined in many different locations, all over the world. Opals are found
in Mexico, where the finest ones are a deep, rich orange color. They
are also found in Honduras, Hungary, and the United States.
There is really no other gemstone that displays the intense, bright myriad of colors
that opal does. Fine opals command incredibly high prices, and must always be worn with care, as they are susceptible to cracking and breaking rather easily. One of our customers had her opal fissure throughout the entire stone, by just going from the heat of her home in the winter, outside into the frigid air.
Ethiopian opals, of which we are very fond, seem to be a lot harder than most of
those that come from Australia. We have not tested how easily opals from other
countries can be damaged, but we have damaged a few of our own inventory, that
came from Australia. Once in a while one will drop on the floor, or the pressure
of setting them in prongs or a bezel, chipped them. We have not had that happen
with any of the opals from Ethiopia, however, they are still not as resilient as
the harder gemstones.
Below you will find some interesting trivia about opals:
- History records that Mark Antony exiled Nonius, a wealthy senator, for refusing to sell his opal.
- There exists an silly superstition that you should never wear an opal, unless it's your birthstone.
- Another inane belief is that you should never purchase an opal for yourself, because it is bad luck.
- Opals are supposed to give the wearer protection against disease and the power of prophecy.
The Romans called it "Cupid stone" because they felt it was a symbol of hope and purity.
We have heard so many customers tell us that their jeweler
instructed them to put a light coating of baby oil or mineral oil on
their opal, to keep it in prime condition.
We all know that water and oil don't mix - well, not usually - and
opal's exquisite beauty comes from the water molecules within the stone.
DO NOT COAT YOUR OPALS WITH OIL, OF ANY KIND!