Opal Facts
Opals are believed to be formed from rainwater. The theory most believe is that the rainwater drains into the cracks in the rock. When the water dries, the silica hardens into opal.
In 1911, an opal was discovered to be on the planet, Mars. The opal was originally found in a meteorite that plummeted to earth.
The Opal is seen as a lucky gemstone.
It takes about 5 million years for one centimeter of an opal to be hardened.
About 95% of the opal in the world is from Australia.
Impurities are what create the background color in precious opals, and the other colors are from silica formation. When the silica is combined, the small gaps created allow light diffraction. This process is what makes opals so unique because it allows for a variety of colors and shapes.
Usually, opals are sold on the market in their natural state. In special cases, fracture filling and smoke treatment are a few of the common treatments that are used to darken the stone of opals.
The Opal is the official birthstone for October since 1912.
The word ‘Opal’ comes from the Greek word ‘Opallious’, which translates to ‘seeing a change in colour.’
The opal was Queen Victoria’s favorite gemstone.
Black opals have been named one of the rarest gemstones.
Opals can come in all different colors, such as red, green, blue, purple, orange, and yellow.
The entire rainbow is represented in the Boulder opal.
Usually, if the opal is more colorful and vibrant, it is more expensive.
Opals are considered to be a soft gemstone. Out of most birthstones, opals are pretty delicate in comparison.
The opal represents the Zodiac signs Scorpio and Libra, which are associated with the month of October.
There are some theories that if you buy or wear an opal when it isn’t your birthstone, you will have bad luck.
It is common to see opals overtake pieces of petrified wood.
The opal is occasionally called the Queen of Gemstones.
The opal is seen as a protective gemstone and embodies purity and hope.