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opal
Featured Gem OPAL
Opal sparkles and flashes in all the colors of the rainbow. Because it contains so many colors, ancient peoples once believed that opals possessed the powers of every other gemstone combined. Though we now know this isn’t true, opals still hold some of their mysticism thanks to their one-of-a-kind beauty. The October birthstone may come in shades of white, black, or orange. Opals are a softer gem and should be handled with extra care.
BIRTHSTONE: OCTOBER
overview
In Rome, the opal was considered the most precious gemstone, because it contained all colors. No two opal gemstones are alike, as they each have their own unique color patterns. When opal is formed, the silica gel is embedded in rocks in little spheres giving each gem its uniqueness.
lightning gems
The Bedouins believed lightning is inside opal gems and that they fall from the sky during storms.
1829
Sir Walter Scott’s “Anne of Geierstein” declared the unluckiness of the opal.
20% water
Opal contains up to 20% water trapped in its silica structure.
QUALITY FACTORS
These four criteria together determine the value of each gemstone.
color
How the colors react to light is an important factor in value.
clarity
Clarity will be judged differently for each type of opal.
cut
Irregular shapes are popular, because they help with the color play.
carat weight
Opals are light even in larger sizes, because of their low density.