There is something about opal jewelry that makes you stop and stare. There are just so many amazing-looking ones. And with such a variety of colors to pick from and drool over. They absolutely embody the word “irresistible adornment.” The true allure of opal jewelry is not only its magnificent appearance but also its profound symbolism. Which are trust, hope, faith, joy, and confidence. 

They are truly unique because each one has a distinct color combination. And those are both soothing and thrilling to the eyes. Such a lovely gem! But did you know? It went through a drastic rollercoaster of a ride when it comes to its popularity? Don’t you think its peculiar history deserves further exploration? So, before you go out and buy a stunning opal and diamond ring, familiarize yourself with its qualities and history. As well as how to style them after you have bought them.

What Are Opals?

Opals are a form of silica, also known as silicon dioxide. They are chemically identical to quartz but they contain water inside their structure. Water running through the earth picks up silica from sandstone and washes it into fissures and cracks in the rocks over a lengthy period of time. The moisture eventually evaporates, leaving a deposit of silica behind. And the opal slowly begins to develop when this cycle starts again. 

They can also form over fossils encased in rocks, resulting in vibrantly colored gemstones depicting long-dead species. These opalized fossils are jam-packed with information from prehistoric ages.

Precious opal is composed of small silica spheres grouped in a regular pattern. And contains between 6 and 10% water. These silica spheres define the opal’s color: huge spheres produce reds, while small spheres provide a variety of colors, with the tiniest producing blues. Which then used to make eye-popping items like a blue opal necklace. It has a hardness of 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale.

Let’s Revisit the Past and Learn Its History

Many believe that opal originated in India. Over there people called them Upala, which means “precious stone” in Sanskrit.  Ancient Rome then named them Opalus. The fondness of opals comes from their rainbow-colored shifting tints, known as “play-of-color.”

Opals have been compared to pyrotechnics, galaxies, and volcanoes by writers because of their stunning color play. According to the Bedouins, opals are full of lightning. That dropped from the sky during thunderstorms. Opals supposedly give the gift of prophecy and provide protection from various diseases, believed the ancient Greeks. It has also historically been associated with purity, hope, and honesty by Europeans. On top of all these, hundreds of years ago, opal represented the virtues and powers of all colored stones combined.

Many cultures have created myths and legends regarding opals. Including the notion of imparting prophecy and healing as mentioned before. But it’s also their beauty and rarity that people have found most exquisite.

Fun Fact! Did you know that giving the gift of opal on the 14th wedding anniversary is a tradition among many? All of this suggests that the precious stone has long been favored by people for a variety of reasons. However, there was a time in history when opals were thought to be bad luck, and some still believe that today.

The Origin of Their Association With Bad Luck

The rumor of opals causing bad luck comes from a variety of sources. One of them is, in the mid-nineteenth century, Sir Walter Scott produced Anne of Geierstein. A book in which an opal was used to depict the heroine’s fluctuating fortunes. Due to some of the heroine’s tragedies, book critics believed the opal had an evil impact (though this was never the author’s aim) – a myth that substantially decreased the value of opal at the time!

Another one is that merchants came up with the rumor of opals being bad luck in the mid-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. This was after they came to the realization that opal was posing a significant threat to the diamond trade. Opal was being economically mined and growing in popularity. However, the ‘bad luck’ myth quickly tarnished the stone’s reputation.

These days opals are experiencing a resurgence in favor among those seeking something distinctive and naturally beautiful. They are also quite affordable, making them a better option for those who can’t afford more expensive jewelry items.

Types of Opal

Opals are of two types: precious opal, also known as ‘opalescent opal,’ and common (potch) opal. They have a wide range of unique physical features. And there are numerous variants of each category. There are also a number of opal choices that have come into existence through various man-made methods.

The 3 main popular types of opals are as follows:

Peruvian Opal–

The color of this translucent stone is similar to that of the gorgeous tropical Caribbean Sea. They are relatively rare. And are only available in the Andes mountains near San Patricio, Peru. They are also the national stone of Peru.

Fire Opal –

Fire Opal is translucent and doesn’t show a play of color. So technically they are common opal. However, their color ranges from bright red, yellow, orange to transparent.

White Opal (Solid)-

They are just as the name suggests: made totally of opal material. With no other host rock, and might be a mix of both common and precious opal.

Styling With Opal Jewelry

Now let’s move on to the best part, which is what to wear and how to style them. Just like any other piece of jewelry, opal also requires an understanding of contrasting, complementing, current trends, etc. So, with that, let us give you 3 such styling options.

1. Styling With Elements of Fantasy

Because opal is already a stone with a lot of fantastical qualities, it makes perfect sense to style and pair them in a way that enhances those elements. So if you are to put on an opal and diamond ring then pair it with items such as a tourmaline butterfly pendant. Or a moonstone pendant. You can also play with floral designs. And pair the opal and diamond ring with a rose cut diamond necklace with a flower pendant.

2. Styling With Elements of Minimalism 

Everything is about minimalism right now. From fashion accessories to wardrobe choices. People prefer to follow the minimalist trend. There is also a reason for the success and popularity of this trend. People all over the world face a very hectic life. With little to no time for themselves. People now prefer accessibility over luxury. 

And minimalism is the perfect meeting point for both. So follow this trend and buy a blue opal necklace. Then pair it with some subtle fashionable rings like a floating ring or a twisted blue sapphire ring gold.

3. Styling With Elements of Splendor

Just because people prefer minimalism, doesn’t mean there is no room left for pure ultra-luxe splendor and opulence. Especially when it comes to accessorizing for special occasions. Like, say an event or a gala. These are the places to go overboard with jewelry items. 

So, if you are to attend such an affair, get yourself an exquisite opal eternity ring. And pair it with an equally extravagant diamond eternity necklace. Don’t forget to wear dark-colored dresses as they will make both the opal and the diamond pop up more.

Conclusion

Is this lovely gemstone’s history intriguing enough for you? Do you now find them inspiring? And want to add a few of them to your jewelry collection? Then you should definitely go ahead and start with basic but stunning pieces. For example, an opal eternity ring or opal and diamond ring for your hand. Or you can also start by decorating your décolletage with a blue opal necklace. There is a variety of opal jewelry available in the market for you to choose from, you just have to identify your personal style and buy adorable opal pieces accordingly.

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