Opal Stone Meaning, History and Benefits

Opal stone and pink tourmaline stone are the birthstones for the month of October. It's also the stone given to newlyweds to commemorate their 14th year together. The name opal is supposed to come from the Sanskrit word upala, which means "precious stone," and the Greek derivative "Opallios," which means "to observe a colour shift."

Opal Stone Meaning and Benefits 

The word "opal" is thought to be derived from the Greek word "opallios," which means "colour alteration." Also, the Sanskrit word "upala," which means "precious stone," may have inspired the name of the opal gemstone. Opal stone has the ability to enhance both positive and negative attributes, bringing them to the surface for transformation. It aids in the development of self-worth, confidence, and self-esteem, as well as the recognition of one's inherent potential. This vibrant stone is also said to promote spontaneity and lightness.

The opal stone is quite beneficial, as it promotes originality, new thinking, and creativity. Because opal is absorbent and reflective, it aids you in taking up ideas and sensations that are amplified and reflected back to their source. The stone is also said to symbolise justice and peace, as well as acting as a protection stone in dangerous situations.

Opal has always been connected with desire and sexuality, as well as love and passion. It's a captivating stone that heightens emotions and dispels inhibitions. It can also be used to help people cope with their emotions. Wearing an opal stone is considered to bring about fidelity and loyalty.

Opals are claimed to be particularly effective in a variety of physical areas, including the treatment of diseases and fevers. It is also known to improve memory enhancement. It also purifies the blood and kidneys, regulates insulin, makes delivery easier, and relieves PMS. It is also good for the eyes, especially when used as an elixir. Overall, the opal stone is seen to be the most beneficial in terms of preventing illness. It boosts the immune system's power and makes the body more resistant to illness.

Opal has also been reported to aid persons who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. The stone bestows strength and the capacity to reclaim control over one's life on the wearer.

Physical Properties of Opal 

The opal is a stone with so many different coloured flashing lights that everyone can recognise it. Because an opal's brilliance and vibrant colours reflect those of autumn, it is an appropriate birthstone for the month of October. Opal is unlike any other gem in that it exhibits a variety of very bright tiny rainbow iridescent effects that are all blended together. In Roman jewellery, these colours were highly esteemed.

The colour play is due to the unique production process of opal, which differs from that of many other stones. The hue is caused by light dispersion from the minute, consistently sized, and tightly packed silica spheres that make up precious opal. The diverse hues are caused by the arrangement of these spheres, which vary in size and pattern. The stone is more expensive if the hue, or fire, is more bright.

The most common opals are almost opaque white or translucent white, with a black or reddish backdrop in some cases. The hue of fire in opals varies widely. Some just have red and orange lights, while others have green, yellow, and blue lights. All of these colours, as well as purple, can be found in black opals. Opals display nearly every colour hue in a variety of combinations. The most valuable opals are those with a lot of red.

Those that are strong in blue and green are similarly lovely, but they are less common, thus their price is lower. The Harlequin opal, which has checkerboard-like colour patterns, is one of the most sought-after opals.

History of Opal 

Humans have known about the Opal gemstone for about 4,000 years, and there are numerous myths and lore concerning it in almost every culture.

In ancient Greece, opal was valued at the same level as diamond since it was supposed to be Zeus' tears. Opal, they believe, brings vision and prophesy, ensuring the owner's success in war, business, and life.

Opal is said to be God's footprint that touched the earth at the base of a rainbow to create harmony, according to Australian aborigine tradition. The ancient Australian aborigines, on the other hand, thought this stone had a nefarious origin. They believed that the fire in opal gemstone stone was a trap to entice them into the devil's lair, and that opal meant half serpent, half devil.

This gemstone was also worn by the ancient Romans as a symbol of optimism and purity, as well as a cure for illness.

According to legend, the opal stone was once the Goddess of the Rainbow who was transformed into stone.

The dazzling dance of colour within the opal gemstone was thought to be trapped lightning by ancient Arab societies. Opal, according to Arab tradition, has the ability to make the wearer invisible.

The symbolism of the opal stone has been interpreted differently by different cultures around the world. The term "Ophthalmius," which means "Eye Stone," was given to it in the Middle Ages, and it was regarded to be an efficient healing stone for eyesight. Blonde maidens wore to keep the colour of their hair from darkening or fading. The opal gemstone was thought to bring good luck in this era since it was thought that each hue represented the virtues of a different gemstone, and opal possessed all of them.

The opal stone has been erroneously regarded as an evil stone throughout recent history. For a long time, this has been a ludicrous belief all across the world. The opal was thought to be a bad luck stone. Opals were once so popular that they were compared to diamonds. The diamond industry was concerned that the opal stone would overtake diamonds in popularity. They promoted the myth that wearing opals would bring bad luck to the person.

The bestselling novel Anne of Geuerstein, written by Sir Walter Scott in 1829, played a significant impact in the opal stone's terrible reputation. In his novel, Lady Hermione is mistakenly accused of being a demon, and she dies after a drop of holy water falls on her opal, destroying its colour. The general population misinterpreted the meaning and assumed that the brilliant author meant that opal brings terrible luck. For no apparent reason, this novel was successful in killing the European opal market for nearly 50 years.

But Opals today, are considered precious and significant.

Opals are gorgeous stones that are perfect to be worn as jewellery. Check out this beautiful opal gemstone on irisgems.com/collections.