Opal stone: the magical properties of a healing mineral, who suits it according to their zodiac sign

Opal is a watery silica of volcanic origin, noble and semi-precious, which has been exciting the minds of poets, gemologists and jewelry connoisseurs for thousands of years. The enchanting beauty of the cosmic flames frozen in stone repeats the rainbow spectrum.

The pearlescent reflection of whitish-milky inclusions creates the effect of asterism - starry radiance, and the water base - opalescence, a change in color saturation depending on the lighting. Opal stone's properties suit 10 zodiac signs, obeying only a pure and strong spirit, whose dreams it easily fulfills. It is dangerous to become his enemy - the rainbow-star crystal will lower the unworthy to the bottom of life.

History and origin

The most powerful magical properties of shining opal fascinated famous ancient beauties, generals and emperors. The diamond's competitor amazed with its combination of seven colors of the spectrum, flashes of lightning and quiet starlight, confirming its witchcraft status.

The Hellenes called it “a harbinger of change,” the Romans called it “bewitching the eyesight,” and the Arabs called it “broken illusions.” The translation meaning from the Latin “opalus” - consisting of particles, corresponds to the multi-colored nature of the mineral. Silica particles melted by lava in volcanic crevices create mysterious shimmers inside. Pliny the Elder wrote that the cosmic fire of opal contains a rich palette of precious crystals, which endows the owner with extraordinary mystical power.

Four legends are associated with the origin of the wonderful stone:

1. The ancient Greek - the supreme deity - Zeus, having defeated the titan conspirators who intended to throw him off the throne, shed tears of happiness. Drops from the eyes of the Thunderer absorbed the twinkling of stars, the flash of lightning, and the tenderness of morning dew. The Greeks believed that the properties of opal contained a particle of the power of Zeus.
2. The Indian - beautiful goddess of the Rainbow ran high into the mountains, trying to escape from the pursuing men, but tripped over a rock ledge, fell and broke into a myriad of iridescent fragments.
3. Australian - the creator of the world appeared on earth after creation to bestow spiritual wisdom on people. The tracks of the deity blazed with a scattering of star nuggets.
4. Arabic - lightning striking watery soil freezes into ice drops. Inserted into an amulet, they protect the owner from death in a thunderstorm.

Hindus consider iridescent gems to be symbols of compassionate love. The Romans called it a sign of devotion, admiring it as black as night, with a scarlet light inside, the opal of the patrician Nonnius. This variety was also appreciated by Emperor Caligula, who decorated his crown with a fiery galaxy. However, superstitions began to creep in after the exile of Nonnius by Mark Antony, who wanted to take away his treasures, and the tragic end of Caligula. They began to blame the stone and fear the collapse of hopes, despite the fact that Emperor Constantine boldly wore a large crystal in his tiara, believing that the radiance protected royal power.

Medieval esotericists accused the gem of inconstancy and awakening base passions. Silica powder was added to wine, poisoning enemies. They dared to wear such jewelry only during the reign of Elizabeth I, although Shakespeare considered it a frivolous companion of flighty hearts. The luxurious opal "Fire of Troy", Josephine's favorite, suddenly disappeared after Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba.

Jewelers began throwing gems into rivers because no one wanted to buy a stone that would bring fatal changes. It was not the superstitious Queen Victoria who rehabilitated it in the 19th century after the discovery of luxurious Australian copies. The beauty of the star crystal and the absence of mass misfortunes of the owners once again raised the shining jewelry to the pedestal. In the 21st century, they are encrusted with rings, necklaces, and earrings, adding bright colors to the aura, emphasizing the shades of hair and eyes.

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Main deposits

95% of the world's deposits are in South Australia, 80% of production is white, 15% fire and black. In second place is Ethiopia. Characteristic thin layers of the semi-precious mineral are found in Wales and Czechoslovakia. The development of other varieties is carried out in Guatemala, Mexico, the USA, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and partly in the Kamchatka region of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Mineral mining site

Opals are mined all over the Earth, the mineral is common in rocks and has large deposits between layers of marble, iron ore, etc. Australia is considered the leader in the production of precious varieties of opal today; by the way, of the total mass of mined opals, only 5% is black variety.

The largest opal was valued at 2.5 million Australian dollars. It was discovered near Coober Pedy in 1956.

Physicochemical characteristics

Silica has an amorphous structure without a crystal lattice. It easily permeates the ancient skeletons of lizards, rodents, and plants, solidifying into bizarre shapes. The effect of opalescence is a spectrum-scattering color of internal radiance with a hardness of 6.5 and a density of 2.5 on the Mohs scale, requiring careful grinding. White gems have a scarlet, blue, greenish tint, black gems have a rainbow glow, and fiery gems have an orange-brown glow. 15% of water in noble specimens gives transparency and glassy shine, the rest is considered semi-precious with a rich, waxy tint.

Jewelry with stone

Opals are used in only one area - the jewelry industry. To enhance the play of colors, stones are given an oval or spherical shape when processed. Minerals of dark shades are more often used to make men's jewelry - rings, bracelets, cufflinks.

Did you know that in 1956, in the state of South Australia, near the city of Coober Pedy, the world's largest opal was found, the value of which today is estimated at 2.5 million Australian dollars.

The main jewelry that is decorated with opal are brooches, pendants, and earrings, since they are least exposed to mechanical stress. Rings with bracelets are less often inlaid with this stone, because they require special care when using.

The cost of jewelry is varied, as is the choice of colors of inserted stone, metal, and product design:

• Earrings. Prices for gold products start at 25,000 rubles. Silver jewelry costs 2–3 times less.
• Rings. From 16,000 rubles for gold jewelry.
• Brooches. 20,000-30,000 rubles for gold products.
• Pendants. From 8000 rubles. Silver – from 2000.

The price of the product depends on the type of stone used to decorate it. Light-colored opals are considered the most affordable.

Read more in another article about jewelry with opal: Read article

Also read: Marble is a stone of harmony and warmth in relationships

Application area

The richness of the palette allows you to create fantasy multi-layered jewelry framed in gold, platinum, strict and sophisticated - in silver and jewelry alloys. Craftsmen prefer precious stones with a pronounced color, iridescence and cat's eye effects. Milky, homogeneous and translucent pastel colors are used for handmade necklaces, as well as diffusers in LED lamps.

Colors and varieties

Volcanic silica is divided into three types - precious with a bright play of color and shine, semi-precious - paler, ornamental - dull, matte. The first two varieties are rich in a rich range of blue-green, orange-scarlet, emerald-violet, pearlescent-star transitions.

Noble luminous stones are divided into 9 subspecies of characteristic shades:

• Peruvian - juicy turquoise, bluish-light green tints.
• Cat's eye - pearly yellow, blue-scarlet flashes, shining vertical stripe.
• Fiery - the color of a blazing fire or sunset sky, whitish inclusions.
• Black - expensive inky blue, coffee, flashes of red and blue.
• Lechos-opal – apple-colored, pine-green veins.
• Harlequin is a transparent crystal, red, blue, golden sparkles create a fancy mosaic.
• Royal - burgundy-red, emerald border, light green specks.
• Matrix – chocolate base, splashes of blue-turquoise tones.
• Girazol - similar to a tear, bluish reflections.

Simple minerals are impenetrable, pearly white with a blue tint, red-green, honey-orange: cacholong, prazopal, hydrophane, dendrite, opal jasper, silica onyx.

What does opal look like?

Opal is a mineraloid, similar in composition to quartz, but differs in variable water content. It has a porous rather than crystalline structure, and has opalescence - an iridescent play of color, a pearlescent sheen that appears at the slightest turn of the mineral.

This effect is caused by the presence of ordered silica particles in the structure of the gem.

Varieties and color options of noble opal

Opals are divided into types depending on the color, brilliance, and transparency of the mineral.

• Noble opals are precious stones that have a beautiful pearlescent sheen;
• Ordinary opals are semi-precious stones of varying degrees of transparency. They are sanded and have a dull color.

Precious opals are divided into the following varieties:

• White opal is a translucent stone of light shades, the play of color is most often not pronounced;
• Cacholong is a pearly white stone, a mixture of quartz, porcelain opal and chalcedony;
• Peruvian opal is an opal mined in Peru. Does not have a play of color, stone colors: blue, pink;
• Jirasol is a transparent stone with an iridescent milky-bluish tint;
• Hydrophane is a white translucent opal, the beauty of its iridescence is revealed in water;
• Fire opal is translucent, from yellow to deep red;
• Boulder - opal in the form of a layer in rock;
• Black opal is the most expensive variety of opal. Translucent stone of dark shades.

Magic properties

Opal is a witchcraft stone that has protective properties and destructive powers for malicious, depraved minds. He faithfully serves creative, charismatic individuals with pure thoughts, inspiring and protecting from envious people. The crystal will create a flow of energy that carries workaholics, ambitious and talented people who are ready to live at a frantic pace to the top. Cautious introverts will not be able to cope with the intensity of passions, and evil schemers will feel the boomerang effect of personal negativity.

The magical properties of opal stone are directly related to the color scheme:

1. Black, a talisman of passionate, witty leaders, is more suitable for high-status men or career women. A bunch of pure cosmic energy is used by sorcerers, penetrating the subconscious, controlling the flow of power purposefully for destruction or creation. The golden frame includes the thirst for profit, unbridled courage, pushing into casinos, hot spots. Silver extinguishes the dangerous properties of opal.
2. White – protects, helps develop virtuous qualities, enhances healing abilities.
3. Blue, blue - give charm, eloquence, bring good luck in love and friendship.
4. Fiery orange - men are endowed with charisma, confidence, girls - wisdom, courage, femininity.
5. Pink – attracts loving, kind-hearted partners, drives away anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
6. Green is a magnet for wealth and favorable opportunities for financial growth.

The symbol of devotion will strengthen marital trust. A keychain with a sparkling stone is an excellent gift for a young lover, confirming the sincerity of feelings. Silica of any shade strengthens memory, attentiveness, increases the endurance of athletes, as well as organizational abilities.

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Legends about the collapse of hopes are unsubstantiated. Esotericists are sure that the star mineral returns evil to tyrants, so emperors and courtiers were among the victims. A gold ring with a coffee-black crystal is an amulet for magicians and millionaires, and with a white one is a talisman for doctors and healers.

Properties of opal for women, opal for men

The external beauty of this stone attracts not only the fair sex, but also men. Most often, it is chosen by strong people with extraordinary thinking and outlook on life. It is believed that opal affects women and men differently.

• men more confidence in themselves and their abilities. The mineral makes them more determined and resistant to life’s adversities.
• Women, under the influence of opal, become calmer. They are enveloped in a veil of femininity and tranquility.
• The magical properties of opal for women and men are that it accumulates love power and energy and helps improve relationships between partners.

Makes women calmer

Opal is a stone that matches your zodiac sign

Astrologers call the shimmering gem a talisman of happiness for Libra and Scorpio of the first decade born in October. Patron planets are Jupiter, Moon and Venus. The secret of the attractiveness of pearlescent silica is the combination of colors and energies of the four elements, giving rise to almost tangible magic and the desire to become its owner.

But the properties of the opal stone are suitable for the zodiac sign of only 10 constellations, ennobling problem areas with a magical radiance. With his help:

1. Taurus - experiences the happiness of mutual love, sexual pleasure. Long-standing relationships will sparkle with new colors, friends and like-minded people will appear. Change is perceived as an adventure, not a stress.
2. Gemini - will overcome split personality, acquire stable principles, and reveal forgotten talents. Intuition and business success will become permanent.
3. Cancer - will take the path of loyalty to family values, leaving behind harmful addictions. Will develop attentiveness, foresight, emotional balance.
4. Virgo - you will find yourself in a cycle of interesting events, new people and offers. Excessive criticality will go away, creative courage will appear.
5. Libra - will blossom externally and internally, showing talents, increasing income, attracting fans. The aura will become impenetrable, and the ability to maintain a “golden mean” in a relationship will give you joyful calm.
6. Scorpio - will learn to control the natural source of energy, the power of brilliant intellect, replacing anger, malice, and aggression with magnanimous nobility. The talisman of success will be a black or red stone.
7. Sagittarius is the only sign of the fire element that can direct the power of opal to materialize career ambitions. Enemies, sensing the flow of protective energy, will prefer to fade into oblivion.
8. Capricorn - they will free themselves from internal restrictions and complexes, they will believe in happy love and a secure future. Hopes will be confirmed by an increase in financial income and pleasant, exciting meetings.
9. Aquarius - skeptical barbs of judgment will dissolve in the light of love and inspiration. An unexpected revolution of consciousness will allow you to take a fresh look at the usual way of things, show ingenuity, and change your destiny.
10. Pisces - long-cherished dreams of love, mutual understanding, and care for others will finally come true. The amulet cannot be worn for more than eight hours; the mind of Pisces will not cope with the influence on the third eye: a constant series of insights will immerse the consciousness in illusions.

The properties of opal stone for zodiac signs will work faster if you choose the right shade. Milky, pinkish-red, light green are suitable for Virgo, Capricorn, Libra. Blue-turquoise - Cancers, Aquarius, Pisces, Sagittarius. Harlequin - Taurus, Gemini. White is contraindicated for Scorpios. Astrologers advise putting the stone in the box from February 27 to March 30: it will re-tune to the vibrations of the cosmos and become stronger.

Medicinal properties

The cosmic harmony of the amulet heals the nerves - hysteria, anger, and emotional vulnerability go away. Healthy people note amazing clarity of consciousness, calmness and tranquility upon daily contact with the mineral.

The opal family effectively treats:

• eye problems – myopia, farsightedness, cataracts;
• heart pain, vascular, venous problems;
• migraines, dizziness, epilepsy (except for representatives of the Pisces sign);
• phobias, nightmares, obsessive thoughts;
• infertility, sexual impotence, frigidity (fire nuggets);
• colds, infectious diseases.

By washing with water where the white crystal has been infused for 3-4 hours, women remove negativity and restore youth to the skin. Light minerals are useful for children; they help them grow, developing talents, intelligence, and moral qualities.

Talismans and amulets

Opal is recommended to be worn as a talisman by businessmen and people in leadership positions. The mineral will ensure success in business and help you cope more easily with any stressful situations.

Opal in a silver frame is useful for melancholic people and people prone to suicide.

This amulet will relieve negative thoughts and help maintain a positive mood. It is recommended to keep a talisman in the form of an animal at home. This will protect your home from disasters and attacks by robbers.

Blue opal in a silver frame.

Use in jewelry and stone processing

Craftsmen grind the mineral on a diamond wheel, removing convex irregularities, giving it the desired shape, then grind it with fine-grained sandpaper. 15% water in the composition requires mandatory treatment with a damp leather circle and impregnation with natural resins. Fire stones are easier to cut; the rest are ground into the shape of a round, oval, shell-like cabochon, achieving rainbow tints.

Jewelers cheat by gluing a thin plate of a noble crystal onto an onyx base, creating an “opal doublet” - the jewelry looks luxurious on the outside, but there is little magic in it. “Triplets” have a triple layer: onyx, opal layer, and a rock crystal plate for durability. Sparkling gems are always set in precious metals, creating pendants, brooches, and earrings.

How to spot a fake

Gems of the 1st category are counterfeited by painting, filling opalescent glass with sparkles. It’s easy to recognize a fake – you just need to squeeze the product in your fist for a couple of minutes. A natural crystal is cold, a synthetic crystal instantly heats up, and also has two color highlights in sunlight, and not all shades of the spectrum.

It is more difficult to recognize a doublet or a triplet; a careful examination of the side surfaces with a jewelry loupe will be required. Brave buyers check with the tip of their tongue - the original does not stick to it. Air bubbles and a repeating mosaic pattern indicate a fake.

How to check the authenticity of an opal

There are several ways to distinguish imitation from natural opal:

1. Play of light. If a natural stone is illuminated by sunlight, the surface under the mineral will be richly colored with multi-colored reflections. The glow from artificial opal will not give such a beautiful play of light;
2. Natural stone has a uniform color, imitation may have an area with a sharp, bright color change;
3. The pattern inside the natural stone is not repeated;
4. A stone of natural origin does not have layers or a substrate in its structure;
5. An amazing way is to lick the mineral. The natural gem does not stick to the tongue.

How to wear and care

The cosmic mineral is alive, it goes through the cycle of youth, maturity, aging. Caring owners extend the service life by wiping the surface with a damp cotton cloth, putting on jewelry after rain, for walks and receptions near the water, which the gem also takes in contact with the human body.

Given its absorbency, the opal stone can be worn on clean skin, free from creams, oils, and detergent residues that damage the internal components of the fragile talisman. The accumulated negativity can be easily removed under running clean water. It is customary to wear rings on the middle finger of the right hand to attract good luck and awaken talents, and on the left to heal. Cracks caused by overheating can be repaired by immersing the opal in a glass of water overnight.

Areas of use of opal

The magical play of light of opal beckons and attracts, and the incredible magical power of the stone allows it to be used as a protective amulet. How else is this wonderful mineral used?

Talismans and amulets made of opal

An opal amulet has a complex effect: it also performs protective functions and will help attract success, love, and make its owner happy.

In the East, opal has been considered a magical guardian of love since ancient times. He kept the spouses faithful to each other and helped their feelings remain as vibrant as at the beginning of the relationship. The same effect was given to an opal talisman in Ancient Rome.

Today, European magic considers white opal an amulet for creative people. It eliminates doubts and worries, helps develop the imagination and support a person in his endeavors. A ring decorated with black opal is considered a magical attribute that enhances the gift of clairvoyance.

It is best to purchase a stone during the full moon. At this time, it is easiest to set up an energetic relationship with the talisman.

It is important to remember that opal cannot be given away, thrown away, or resold if you have already appropriated the stone. You need to purchase such a talisman yourself, carefully listening to your feelings from its use, and also respect its energy and strength.

Decorations and jewelry with opal inserts

Jewelers use opals with a bright color and a rich mother-of-pearl glow in their jewelry. Natural opal is very fragile, and in order for it to wear well in jewelry, its surface is coated with a colorless protective resin.

Jewelry with opal inserts can be easily found in specialized stores. Most often, jewelry such as:

• Earrings;
• Rings;
• Rings;
• Necklace;
• Pendants;
• Bracelets.

A stone can also be an independent decoration: for example, a pendant of a certain shape is cut out of it, which a person wears on a chain.

Jewelry with opals is most often produced in silver, gold, and white gold.

Using opal in room decoration.

Natural opal is rarely used as an independent item for interior decoration due to its fragility and sensitivity to the environment.

Opal stones can be included in the embroidery of precious paintings and icons.

Where else can opals be used?

Opal is mainly used in jewelry, magic, and lithotherapy.

They become the passion of avid collectors: in the race for beautiful fluorescent stones, they compete even with large museums!

Favorable time to buy

When intending to create a good luck talisman, it is necessary to take into account the lunar phases, especially when the vibrations of a celestial body are directly related to the mineral. The diverse palette of the opal family influences the period of choice. White ones are bought on the 4th lunar day and worn on the 18th.

It is better to purchase fiery ones on the 25th day of the cycle, and wear them starting from the 11th of the next phase. Colored, impermeable, milk ones are paid for in the store on the 14th day, and the first physical contact is made on the 28th. Black, blue, pink ones are bought on the 15th day, put on for the final phase on the 27-28th day.