Jewelry made from natural opal – everyone will find theirs

• Which: precious;
• Deposits: Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Slovakia, USA, Russia (Kamchatka), Ukraine;
• Colors: Black, white, blue, purple (light and dark), green, red, yellow;
• Mohs hardness: 5.5-6.5;
• Transparency: Clear to translucent;
• Density: 1.96 - 2.20 g/cm³;
• Formula: SiO2 nH2O;
• Suitable person according to zodiac sign: Everyone;
• How much does it cost: from 50.00 to 54520.00 rubles.

Opal stone (its name is translated from ancient Greek as “changing color”, and from Latin as “bewitching sight”) is one of the natural gems that amazes with the variety of their colors. There are over 140 types of these stones in the world.

One of the many legends associated with this stone says that, having defeated the Titans, the thunderer Zeus wept with happiness. The tears that fell to the ground turned into minerals of extraordinary beauty.

What kind of stone?

Opals truly are the most beautiful stones on our planet. Attitudes towards them, formed under the influence of legends and superstitions, have always been ambiguous and have changed over the centuries.

The ancestral aristocracy of the ancient ancient states (Greece and Rome) attributed the properties of powerful amulets to jewelry with opals and valued them not only for their beauty, but also for their ability to protect their owner from any misfortunes.

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who wore a crown decorated with a delightful opal and claimed that this stone could make its owner invisible in a dangerous moment, thieves, robbers and horse thieves made the mineral their amulet. They believed that by wearing a ring with an opal and becoming invisible, they could evade pursuit.

During the Middle Ages - under the influence of Scandinavian myths, which claimed that opal was created by the blacksmith god Volund from the eyes of small children - the stone began to be called the “eye of evil”, attracting all kinds of misfortunes. During this period, only witches and sorcerers used opals to perform magical rituals.

Nowadays, gems are widely used for making jewelry and inexpensive costume jewelry.

Jewelry stone

Jewelry with black mineral is noble and elegant. But not everyone can appreciate them, so its popularity is far from the demand for favorite blue, pink or “harlequin” opals.

A confident woman will choose a brooch, earrings or bracelet with black opal inserts. Having such jewelry, you need to be prepared for increased attention from others.

Black opals are a logical choice for men. A massive ring, cufflinks, tie clip, pendant will complement your solid image. A fragile stone is often placed in a noble frame, so the cost of the product is high.

Description and meaning of the stone

Opal is an amorphous silica consisting of silicon oxide and a large (13 to 30%) amount of water. In this sense, the mineral is not so much a stone as a kind of gel, subject to drying out, cracking and tarnishing.

Factors that worsen the structure of this mineral include:

• sudden temperature changes;
• strong blows;
• exposure to fats and alkalis;
• significant compression;
• increased air dryness.

Opal, which has a specific life cycle (aged opals are called chalcedony), is subject to aging, which can be slowed down by wearing jewelry with it as often as possible or storing it in an airtight plastic bag on a piece of moistened cotton wool.

Opal is considered a stone of inspiration, releasing internal energy, capable of enhancing imagination and creative inclinations, and also strengthening memory.

Thanks to the high content of water, which connects with the emotional world of its owner, this mineral purifies his feelings and emotions, strengthens his most cherished desires.

Care instructions

The physical properties of opal require careful care, storage and careful use:

• jewelry is removed before going to the beach, walk, shower or pool;
• the products are washed under running water at room temperature with soap, then wrapped in a damp cloth for several hours, dried, and briefly exposed to the sun;
• opal does not tolerate household chemicals, temperature changes, boiling, or exposure to steam;
• jewelry is worn when cosmetics are applied; houses are removed, having previously been cleared of dust and sweat.

If the air is too dry, the opal will dry out and begin to crack; if the air is too humid, it will become discolored. Therefore, the best place to store jewelry with stones is a tightly closed box with constant temperature and humidity.

The dried stone is reanimated by placing it in water for several hours. Opal is fragile, so the box must be strong but soft on the inside. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Taking care of opal jewelry is not easy, but the stone is worth it.

Colors and types

Noble opals

Opals can be:

1. Precious (noble). These are incredibly beautiful stones, endowed with transparency and opalescence, expressed by rainbow tints of color.
2. Semi-precious (ordinary). Minerals of this group, which are opaque or translucent, have a dull color and lack rainbow tints.

Translucent opals

Depending on the properties (represented by the presence of impurities, transparency, color, hardness and luster), a huge number of varieties of this mineral are distinguished.

“Impure” opals (formed from the silica of easily weathered silicate rocks, by penetrating into their mass or as a result of filling cracks and voids that have arisen in them), are represented by:

1. Semi-opals are cloudy stones that have a greasy sheen and are colored brown, white, red, gray and yellow.
2. Opal jasper is a brown or red mineral.

The group of noble minerals includes:

Fire opals

Transparent or translucent stones of fiery red or deep red color. In Mexico, stones with opalescence are found.

Black opals

The most expensive gemstones are dark blue, black, dark purple with bright red opalescence.

Harlequins

Precious stones bearing the name of one of the characters in the Italian comedy of masks, whose costume was made of colored scraps. The surface of these transparent stones amazes with the beauty of a spectacular polychrome pattern consisting of red, blue, yellow and green circles and triangles shimmering against a fiery background.

Royal opals

Precious stones, the core of which is bronze or dark red in color, and the border around their edge is bright green. The outer zone of this border is unpainted.

Heavenly opals (girasoli)

Almost colorless transparent minerals with a bluish wavy opalescence.

Lechos opals

Stones of amazing beauty, painted in sea green color, mesmerizing with the depth of carmine and green tints.

Cat's eye opals

Extremely rare and expensive stones of honey or yellow color, having a stripe located in the very center and giving them a certain resemblance to the eyes of these animals.

The group of common minerals includes:

Hyalites

Watery-transparent colorless minerals, resembling glass, forming grape-shaped crusts on various rocks, lichens and mosses.

Chrysopals (or prosopals)

Opaque stones colored apple green.

Moss opals

Resembling thickets of grass.

Peruvian opals

Opaque stones of blue, pink and bluish tints, mined in Peru.

Resin opals

Having a matte black color.

Pearl opals (cacholongs)

Opaque minerals of a milky white color with tints of bluish or greenish tones.

Irisopals

Slightly brownish or colorless minerals with a single-color tint, found only in Mexico.

Wax opals

Stones that have a light yellowish-brown tint.

Hydrophanes (water opals)

Porous stones that, when saturated with water, acquire transparency and magnificent opalescence. It is hydrophane that all aged precious opals turn into.

Wood opals

Arising as a result of the replacement of the remains of rotted wood with a mineral and preserving its texture pattern.

Boulders (from the English word “bolder” - “cobblestone”)

Minerals that are natural doublets. This is the name for cobblestones made of ferruginous rock, the surface of which is covered with an opalescent thin crust. Insertion of precious opals is not removed from the mother base, but is processed together with it.

The best examples of boulders - coroites and jowa nuts - are found only in Australia. Koroites (“landscape stones”) have a surface covered with rainbow patterns, in the outlines of which a person with a developed imagination can see unusual scenes and images. uh

Yova-nuts are oval-shaped minerals, in the center of which, as if in a shell, there are opals, whose surface resembles jelly. Boulder opals occupy an intermediate position in this classification, being valued higher than common opals, but not as highly as fine opals.

Types of opals are presented:

1. Doublets are stones consisting of two layers: a plate of natural opal and a black backing that improves the color of the mineral.
2. Triplets are stones that differ from doublets in that they contain a third layer consisting of transparent glass or quartz. It is designed to protect the mineral and give it a rounded shape.
3. Solid opals are natural stones that do not have auxiliary layers.

Properties and uses of black opal

The mineral is used in various areas, the main ones:

• jewelry making;
• private collections;
• lithotherapy;
• astrology and magic.

Physical properties

The chemical formula of black opal is SiO2 nH2O, meaning it is based on silica and water. It has its own properties:

• hardness on the Mohs scale 5.5–6.5 points;
• absorbs moisture and swells;
• is destroyed by sudden temperature fluctuations;
• easily subject to mechanical stress;
• amorphous structure - no crystalline structure;
• when overdried, it becomes covered with cracks and may crumble;
• opalescence is the enhanced scattering of incident light, due to which the stone literally plays with different colors.

Watch the video to see what black opal looks like:

Medicinal properties

Black opal has been used in lithotherapy since ancient times. It is believed that it can help with the following conditions:

• decreased vision;
• inability to get pregnant;
• decrease in male strength;
• inflammatory diseases;
• cold;
• weak immunity;
• depression, lack of desire to do anything.

Silicon, which is the basis of black opal, has bactericidal properties.

Water is infused on it. To do this, the stone is immersed in a container of water and left for several hours. This cleans and improves the taste of the liquid. It is believed that this infusion helps to endure pregnancy, as well as with diseases of the cardiovascular system and reduced immunity.

Magic properties

The unusual color scheme of the stone attracted the attention of a variety of people:

• magicians wore black opal as a talisman to enhance psychic abilities;
• the thieves had a gem amulet with them - it was believed that the stone could make a person invisible;
• Many people kept amulets made from the mineral in their homes for protection from fire and lightning strikes.

The main magical properties of the stone:

• protection from negative external influences, both physical and psychological;
• increasing efficiency, giving strength;
• improved mood.

The optimal metal for framing a stone is silver. Black opal in combination with gold can only be worn by strong individuals who have the ability to self-control and have big plans in life.

It has long been noted that a gem affects the character of the owner. Moreover, a person’s changes depend on himself.

Black opal enhances carefully hidden qualities of character, thoughts and desires of the owner.

The stone is not recommended for wearing by weak-willed people subject to passions - gamblers, enthusiastic individuals.

He will have a bad influence on those who are burdened by vicious inclinations, bringing out the most shameful things.

For people with a strong spirit and good intentions, black opal will have a positive effect:

• will develop intuition;
• will sharpen the subtlety of perception:
• will expand the capabilities of the mind;
• will become an assistant in any endeavors, except for ideas of enrichment.

The stone is combined with emerald, alexandrite, pearl, topaz, turquoise or other minerals of the elements of water or earth.

Should not be worn with ruby, garnet, diamond, amethyst, or peridot.

Watch the video review about the magic of stone:

Who is the stone suitable for according to their zodiac sign and name?

Astrologers say that black opal is not suitable for every zodiac sign. The influence of the stone on the owner depending on the horoscope:

• Cancer will reduce touchiness and suspiciousness;
• Sagittarius will be given the desire for a goal, composure, harmony;
• It will help Pisces to find a middle ground and become balanced;
• will have a positive influence on Aquarius in the creative field, will help develop talents;
• Virgo will make you more feminine and promote rational thinking;
• Will show Libra the path to balance with themselves and others;
• Taurus will become more purposeful, but some representatives of this sign can, on the contrary, be weakened by the stone and given over to laziness and gluttony;

Not recommended for wearing:

• For Gemini - deprives logic and rationality, contributes to wasting money and energy;
• Sagittarius may become depressed and lose interest in what is happening around them;
• Leos will fall into pride, self-esteem and selfishness will increase excessively;
• Aries will become even more stubborn, begin to argue, quarrel with others, and lose friends.

Black opal suits people with the names Albina, Stefan, Vitaly, Marina.

Origin of the stone

Opals, formed by the evaporation of water from a hydrogel into which natural silica solutions are converted, are typical products of post-volcanic processes that occur after the outpouring of volcanic lava at one of the final stages of magma solidification.

Thanks to aqueous solutions of silica emanating from solidifying magma chambers, the mineral either settles on the Earth's surface or is deposited in cracks and voids in lavas.

Accumulations of opals are often found in places where geysers (hot springs) emerge in areas of volcanic activity.

The formation of sedimentary rocks (represented by kieselguhr, opoka, tripoli), mainly consisting of opal and occurring in the coastal zones of the seas, occurs as a result of the coagulation of silica sols transported from land by river flows.

Opals, which can replace other minerals and fill cracks in rocks, are most often products of their weathering.

The mineral is often found in sedimentary rocks: flints, flints. It is found in the cement of sandstones. Ball-shaped opals can be found in chalcedony. By impregnating the remains of plants and animals, opals form fossils.

Opals can occur in the form of very fine powder or earthy masses.

History and origin of the mineral

Black opal is a gem with a long history. Mentions of it stretch back to antiquity:

• Gaius Julius Caesar carried with him a black opal, which cracked before the assassination of the great pontiff;
• the ancient Greeks considered it to be the petrified tears of Zeus, who burst into tears after his victory over the Titans;
• women of African tribes considered it a talisman that protects against evil spirits;
• in the Middle Ages it was part of poisons;
• in eastern countries it was a symbol of deception;
• The gem gained mass popularity in the 2nd half of the 19th century, when it entered the world market.

Black opal is formed when molten silica solidifies and flows into the voids created by a volcanic eruption.

There are quite a few places where black opals are mined:

• USA;
• Indonesia;
• Kazakhstan;
• Russia;
• Guatemala;
• Ethiopia;
• Australia (main point);
• Mexico.

Australian black opal is the highest quality and most expensive, used to make most jewelry.

The Ethiopian gem is the most fragile; wearing it daily carries the risk of damaging the mineral.

Physical properties

1. The hardness of opals (allowing them to leave scratches on glass) on the Mohs scale ranges from 5.5-6.5.
2. Soft opals leave a white line on the rough surface of the porcelain plate. Fine opals have no color streak.
3. The mineral is easily soluble in alkalis.
4. Water content – ​​3-13% (for some stones – up to 30%).
5. Precious opals have opalescence - a rainbow play of colors.
6. The shine of stones can be matte, waxy, pearlescent or glassy.
7. Opals have luminescence: greenish, white, reddish, blue for whites; greenish - in fiery ones; all colors of the rainbow - black.
8. The chemical composition of minerals may contain impurities represented by oxides of potassium, iron, sodium, calcium, aluminum, and magnesium.
9. The color of minerals may vary. Transparent and colorless stones are represented by milky opals or hyalites. The darker color of the stones (amber-yellow, blue, brown, deep red, bright green) is due to the presence of impurities.

To distinguish opal from the similar-looking chalcedony, chemical analysis is necessary.

Modern accessories

Accessories with opals are aesthetically attractive, unusual, and therefore in demand. Blue and milky white transparent ones are classified as precious stones, the rest are classified as semi-precious stones. But all varieties and shades are beautiful.

Range

Most often found in jewelry are blue and milky-white transparent opals. Popular expensive varieties are “matrix” (black with star-shaped tints) and “harlequin” (iridescent mosaic of triangles).

Jewelry with black Australian opal, an expensive stone with red, blue, and purple veins on a dark background, looks exotic and chic. It is processed with a cabochon dome. This is the traditional shape of stones; there are other, bizarre configurations, but the outlines are always soft and smooth. This is how the opalescence effect is best demonstrated.

More often, fragile opal is set into earrings, a pendant or a brooch. A durable Ethiopian mineral is used for a bracelet, ring or cufflinks. In other cases, the owner of opal jewelry is required to be careful when using the jewelry.

Origin

Natural opal is not considered rare, but a synthetic equivalent is almost always offered. More often they imitate black or other shades of Australian opal, white or yellow Ethiopian and blue Peruvian stone.

Yellow Ethiopian opal

Compatibility

Opals of different types and colors are often used in one piece of jewelry: this combination of stones looks interesting and unusual.

Emeralds, pearls, topazes, moonstone, and chrysolites harmonize well with natural opal. Platinum or 750° gold is selected for the frame.

Synthetic opals are complemented by cubic zirconia, cultured pearls, amethysts, and are framed in silver or 585° red gold.

Place of Birth

Opals are found on all continents, but the world leader in their production is Australia (the main deposit is in the mining town of Coober Pedy). Its share in world stone mining is at least 97%.

Precious opals are also mined in the following deposits:

• USA;
• Brazil;
• Mexico;
• Honduras;
• Guatemala;
• Japan;
• Czech Republic;
• Ethiopia;
• Kazakhstan.

In Russia, a small amount of ordinary opals is mined from deposits located:

• in Altai;
• in the Chita region (in the Nerchinsky district);
• in the Orenburg region (in these areas there is the Sarinsky plateau and the Kiembaevsky asbestos quarry).
• Opals are occasionally found in Ukraine (in the Kyiv and Zhitomir regions) and in Hungary.

Deposits and stone mining

Dark opals are found in veins of other rocks. They are especially often identified among agates. Thus, targeted mining of the mineral is not carried out. The main tools used to obtain gemstones are a pickaxe and a shovel.

Most of the samples entering the world market are mined in Australia.

There are mineral deposits in the following areas:

1. Honduras.
2. Japan.
3. Egypt.
4. Brazil.
5. Turkey.
6. Ukraine.
7. Mexico.
8. Guatemala.
9. Slovakia.
10. Kazakhstan.
11. India.

In Russia, good quality specimens are found in Kamchatka in the area of ​​extinct volcanoes, where geysers are still active. In other regions, only small samples were found that are not used in jewelry.

Magic properties

Opal, capable of supporting the talents of its owner (regardless of his profession and lifestyle), is often called the “stone of false hopes.”

Guided by some unknown principles, it pushes some of its owners to achieve forbidden pleasures, while for others, on the contrary, it restrains the desire for whims and animal passions. As a result, the former may go crazy, while the latter reach certain social heights.

It has been established that a mineral endowed with powerful atmospheric energy fully reveals the depth of its true properties only in the hands of truly gifted people. He repels everyone else, leaving them with a fleeting feeling of euphoria from the success achieved.

Protecting its owner from the machinations of enemies, the gem endows him with the gift of prophecy, but only on the condition that this gift will be aimed at the benefit of others. That is why only people with pure thoughts should wear it.

By enhancing the creative abilities of the owner, opal protects him from the influence of extraneous negative energies.

Black opal , which is a stone of passion, is capable of sharpening the mind of its owner, enhancing his analytical abilities, while simultaneously awakening his secret vices. This stone is endowed with the most powerful protective properties.

White colored gems are endowed with a diametrically opposite character. They are often used by nurses or healers, as these stones strengthen the virtues of their owners, making them more patient and compassionate.

Blue and light blue opal , which bring good luck, help you concentrate your strength to achieve your goal.

The fiery gem makes men brave, courageous, self-sufficient and decisive, and women - sensual, mature and wise.

The stone ensures reciprocity in love, however, it is not recommended for unmarried people to wear it, as it can alienate all admirers from them.

Fire opals are often used in rituals aimed at attracting money.

The magical properties of opals are so strong that jewelry with them should not be worn every day.

Esoteric features

In the world of magic, the meaning of the stone is Darkness, but not that which is true evil, but rather that which is secret, hidden, that which is not shown in the light. This is secret knowledge that must be hidden from the uninitiated. This is the secret power of the “gray cardinals”.

“Thirst for a secret forbidden to people, your spirit is forever confused!” - the inquisitors reproached Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templar Order. The Order was destroyed, among other things, on charges of accumulating black knowledge, the “truth of Baphomet.” It is precisely this thirst for knowledge that the matrix attracts.

Black opal symbolizes everything lost in the shadows, and it is not its fault that for most people these are mainly vices and sins. The magical properties of black opal are strengthening, concentrating what the owner hides, what he is ashamed of and afraid of. Therefore, for a person who has a lot of “skeletons in the closet”, black opal jewelry is contraindicated - it will become a catalyst for the further development of vices and evil passions.

Black opal

But a strong-willed person who has good self-control will have a lot to say thank you to the mineral for. It will sharpen his intuition and develop extrasensory perception of the world, including the ability to clairvoyance and premonition. Simultaneously with the strengthening of hidden desires, he will strengthen the hidden abilities associated with the sphere of the mind. The energy of the stone can be directed in any direction except material and monetary: it symbolizes “pure”, theoretical knowledge rather than applied knowledge.

The Matrix is ​​a symbol and talisman of many magical orders and societies in Europe, the “signature” stone of Western magic.

It is the basis for many dark spells, but has never been associated with overt Satan worship. It sharpens to the limit the abilities of a psychic and a magician - not only magical, but also mental (although in European magical traditions one is impossible without the other). But for an ordinary weak-willed person, not a magician, the stone can bring misfortune.

The most striking example: the death of Nicholas II, the weakest of the Russian emperors, and his entire family, many mystics associate with the opal given to the grandmother of the last Russian autocrat by his crowned grandfather, Nicholas the First. Nicholas the First was distinguished by an iron will, and the stone brought happiness to his family. The opal was inherited by the grandson, but the grandson turned out to be weak - and the stone killed him.

Medicinal properties

The gem can be worn not only as decoration, but also to provide a healing effect on the body.
Lithotherapists claim that opal:

1. Increases stress resistance.
2. Normalizes the functioning of the nervous system.
3. Improves mood, regulates mental activity.
4. Improves the functioning of the central nervous system.
5. Raises muscle tone, relieves nervous tics, softens the manifestations of chronic cramps.
6. Normalizes the activity of the heart muscle, helping to restore the correct heart rhythm.
7. Improves the general condition of the eyeballs and vision by normalizing blood flow in the vessels of the eyes.
8. Promotes the digestion of food by normalizing gastric peristalsis and increasing blood flow in the collateral perigastric vessels.
9. Useful for women because it can facilitate childbirth and limit the growth of body hair.
10. Dissolves toxins, cleansing the body.
11. Eliminates pain (toothache and headache).
12. Helps improve appetite.
13. Has a beneficial effect on the kidneys.
14. Improves sleep.
15. Grants longevity.

The healing effects of the stone

Lithotherapists recommend using the properties of black opals for the following problems:

• nervous system disorders - apathy, irritability, sleep disturbance, depression, seasonal blues;
• weakened immunity;
• threat of colds or infectious diseases;
• the cardiovascular system;
• weakened vision;
• female infertility, problems of male potency.

Contemplating the stone for several minutes every day reduces eye pressure. Water infused with gemstone has healing properties. They drink it for heart pain, infectious disease, and to prevent colds.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

Representatives of the fire zodiac signs should acquire white or blue opals. These universal stones are suitable for people born under any zodiac constellation, but for Sagittarius , Leo and Aries they will help smooth out the manifestations of natural deficiencies, enhancing their best qualities, represented by courage, determination and determination.

At the same time, Aries should beware of stones that have dark shades, and Sagittarius should prefer blue opals.

Both fire and white gems are suitable for Gemini, Aquarius and Libra White stones will give them calmness, and the shimmer of fiery specimens will add a bit of violence to their character. Aquarians may like dark blue minerals.

For Pisces and Scorpios, stones of blue-blue and red colors will be useful. Their influence will not only strengthen Pisces’ innate intuition, but will also give them peace of mind. Scorpios, who have received protection from negative influences, will be able to concentrate their energy on achieving their goal.

For Cancer, there is nothing better than white opals, although this is the only zodiac sign that is allowed to wear black stones. By enlisting their support, Cancers will be able to overcome their inner experiences and fears, find harmony in personal relationships and improve their financial condition.

Taurus should pay attention to blue gems: they will give their owners patience and tranquility.

Fire opal is ideal for Virgo and Capricorn By saving Virgos from excessive criticality, he will make them much kinder. With its help, Capricorns will get rid of the habit of groundless worries.

Compatibility with other stones

Opal, including black, is closest to the element of Water.

Black opal

He is undemanding to his neighbors, but prefers the company of the Earth’s minerals or his own elements. This:

• emerald;
• aquamarine;
• Moonstone;
• alexandrite;
• topaz;
• pearl;
• tourmaline;
• aventurine;
• zircon;
• nephritis;
• malachite;
• turquoise;
• chalcedony and agate of all types, except blue chalcedony.

Black opal will rebel if worn simultaneously with a ruby, diamond or garnet - it is incompatible with Fire. You should not combine it with Air; the combination of these two elements is fraught with consequences - from light excitement to a force nine storm.

Don't wear black opal:

• with amethyst;
• rock crystal;
• any type of quartz;
• sparrow;
• golden beryl;
• peridot;
• Amazonite.

The combination with sapphire, which stores the energy of both Water and Air, is variable - the result will be influenced by the zodiac sign of the wearer and his character.

Talismans and amulets

Since ancient times, opal has been considered a talisman for actively practicing magicians, psychics and gifted people.
A gold ring with a white opal, worn on the index finger of the right hand, is a talisman for people involved in medicine, since this stone gives them the ability to heal the sick, alleviating their suffering.

The talisman of magicians is considered to be a ring made of gold with black opal, thanks to which the most powerful of them gain the ability to predict the future.

During astral travel, opal can be used as a powerful amulet. An opal worn as a talisman (this could be a small keychain) should be set in silver.

Talismans made from this mineral can attract financial well-being.

Taking such a talisman with you on a long trip or on a tourist trip, you can be sure that your exhausted strength will quickly be restored.

Opal is an excellent amulet that can protect its owner from life’s adversities, witchcraft and the evil eye.

The natural energy of opal reaches peak values ​​by October.

Black opal price

Black opal is an expensive stone, not everyone can afford it. For example, a bracelet costs around 9,000–10,000 rubles, a fake – 1,500–3,000 rubles, beads – around 27,000 rubles, imitation – 4,000. Earrings with a real stone can be purchased for 9,800 rubles, an Ethiopian opal ring in a gold frame – for 52,500 rubles

Black opal is a rare semi-precious stone that has opalescence and other interesting properties. Its color is universal and will suit any outfit, and its role in the owner’s life is ambiguous.

Opal can be worn by honest people who have a good goal in life.

How much do you think black opal can influence its owner? What does a gem remind you of? Tell your friends and acquaintances about this wonderful mineral by sharing this article with them.

Jewelry, how to wear?

Precious and semi-precious stones are used in jewelry. They are used to make rings, pendants, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, keychains and earrings.

Opals - even those that are perfectly suited to their owner - should not be worn constantly. This is only permitted for practicing magicians. Jewelry with opals can be worn only occasionally, for a very short time.

An opal ring, worn throughout the day, must be put on different fingers from time to time.

There is an opinion (some astrologers insist on this) that the right to wear these stones is given only to those who inherited them.

Jewelry with a stone endowed with such strong magical properties must be worn to an important meeting, during a period of creative stagnation, before performing a magical ritual.

The best setting for opal should be made of silver, since it is this metal that helps to fully reveal its beneficial properties. To activate the esoteric properties of this stone, a gold frame is required.

The most favorable day for wearing white opal is Friday, black opal is Tuesday.

How to identify a fake

Almost all opal jewelry is equipped with artificial inserts, but manufacturers do not always report this.

Price is a reliable guide. Gold ring or earrings with opal for 8-10 thousand rubles. – fake.

The following signs help determine the origin of the stone:

• natural opal is unevenly colored, the surface pattern is chaotic; the fake is uniform, with an orderly pattern, garishly bright;
• in intense lighting, the opal glows from below, allowing light to pass through; if the sample is not translucent, dust particles or stains of dirt are visible inside, this is an imitation;
• synthetics have a clearly defined “scaly” appearance, created to imitate opalescence; but the reflections and tints are monochrome and sharp, in a natural gem - with a soft change in shade;
• sunlight passing through the opal creates a rainbow; synthetics are not capable of this;
• If you touch the fake with your tongue, it will stick.

Natural opals
A fake can be easily distinguished by its substrate. If it is black or dark blue and neatly glued, then it is not opal. This is how doublets or triplets are made - a combination of low-grade opal with plastic, quartz and iron ore.

Care

Being minerals containing a significant amount of moisture, opals lose their beauty due to its loss, as well as when in contact with various fats and cosmetic oils, so it is necessary to ensure that products with these stones do not come into contact with cosmetics.

From prolonged exposure to the bright rays of the sun, opals lose their opalescence, acquiring a milky color. By lowering such a stone into water, it is sometimes possible to return it to its original appearance.

To clean a solid opal (it should be as gentle as possible), you can use a warm soapy solution, a piece of cloth or a soft toothbrush. The use of chemicals, bleaches and aggressive cleaning agents is unacceptable.

To protect the opal from the harmful effects of natural factors, it is necessary to wipe it from time to time with a soft cloth soaked in olive oil.

Doublets and triplets should never be completely immersed in water. It is enough to wipe them with a slightly damp cloth.

Ultrasonic cleaning of this mineral is completely unacceptable, since under the influence of intense ultrasonic vibrations, a solid stone can crack.

A stone that has scratches after prolonged wear can be restored to its original beauty by sending it for restoration. After professional polishing, the jewelry will receive a new life.

Steam treatment of the mineral is also prohibited.

Stone jewelry

Black opal is used to make jewelry:

• rings;
• pendants;
• rings;
• earring;
• cufflinks;
• bracelets;
• brooches

Older people should wear a gem; a young, fragile girl can wear jewelry with a small gem; a large one will look massive and heavy.

It is believed that jewelry with a black stone goes with any color of clothing. It is important not to overdo it with the number of shades in your wardrobe, otherwise the shine of black opal will go unnoticed. Successful combinations:

• beige suit and earrings;
• yellow dress and bracelet;
• colorful cardigan and brooch;
• blue shirt and cufflinks.

Caring for stone and products

Due to properties uncharacteristic of a gemstone, caring for black opal is quite specific:

1. The soft structure requires separate storage with other decorations. You can wrap the product in a soft cloth or put it in a case.
2. The jewelry is put on some time after applying cosmetics - lotions, deodorants, perfumes. Once it absorbs the chemical, it will lose its shine and brightness of color.
3. It is necessary to regularly (once every 3-5 days) wipe the gem with a cotton swab dipped in glycerin. This will prevent cracks from appearing due to dryness.
4. Do not drop the product even from a small height. If it does not burst or crumble, cracks and chips will form.
5. When dirty, you need to clean it. To do this, wash the opal in warm water with the addition of baby soap, and if necessary, rub it with a brush.
6. Avoid contact with aggressive substances. These include household detergents and cleaning products.

In addition, see what jewelry with this stone looks like:

How to distinguish from a fake?

To distinguish a natural stone from a fake, you need to pay attention to the nature of opalescence.
Natural opal is characterized by a play of colors and highlights that appear from its very depths and mysteriously disappear to an unknown destination. A characteristic of genuine opal is the presence of floating lights.

Artificial (synthetic) opal has colored inclusions and lights standing in the same place. They will not move, even if the stone is viewed from different angles.

The colored highlights in such an opal will be grouped in a specific place.

A distinctive feature of blue opal is the presence of uneven coloring.

Opal and Zodiac signs

According to the horoscope, black opal is destined for Scorpio. The stone is able to free the owner from aggression and help concentrate on important goals.

Useful for those whose zodiac sign is Libra or Aquarius. Suitable for Pisces or Cancer if they need an energy boost. However, for everyone except Scorpio, it is better to choose a stone of a different color.

Many fashionistas or society ladies will not refuse to put the magically attractive black opal in their box. The noble variety is not cheap, but worth the money spent. A beautiful amulet, talisman or amulet will make the owner calmer, more confident, and more powerful. The main thing is not to succumb to the temptation of the dark side of the stone or to be aware of the consequences of the choice.

What stones does it go with?

Opal goes harmoniously with:

• aquamarine;
• aventurine;
• amethyst;
• diamond;
• turquoise;
• beryl;
• rock crystal;
• hyacinth;
• heliotrope;
• pomegranate;
• moonstone;
• emerald;
• ruby;
• jasper;
• bloody;
• chrysoprase.

Compatibility with zodiac signs

The gem will become a faithful assistant to Scorpio. It will reduce the owner’s irritability and bring spiritual harmony. The mineral will also help the water sign become purposeful and not be distracted by irritating factors.

The gem harmonizes well with other signs of the element of Water. The stone will relieve Cancer from suspiciousness, and help Pisces become balanced.

Black Opal is also compatible with some Air signs. For Libra, the gem will help you find balance in decisions and identify primary tasks. Aquarius, under the influence of the mineral, will be able to show their creativity, combining it with earthly possibilities.

It's not suitable for Geminis. Under the influence of the gem, this zodiac sign loses rationality, which can lead to excessive spending.

Black opal is incompatible with fire and earth signs. A Sagittarius with such a talisman faces moral exhaustion. The stone inclines Leo to blind pride, and Aries to stubbornness.

Capricorn, under the influence of black opal, becomes bitter and loses contact with loved ones. Taurus succumbs to laziness and gluttony.

Of all the earthly signs of the Zodiac, only Virgo will find black opal a helper. A talisman in the form of a ring will help the sign find a balance between rationality and sensuality, as well as show creativity.

Interesting Facts

1. The largest (weighing 5280 g and measuring 12x23 cm) black opal was found in Australia in 1990.
2. Eight years later, an opal weighing 4,300 grams (equivalent to 21,500 carats) was discovered in Brazil by two farm laborers working in a corn field. The cost of this stone was 60 thousand dollars.
3. An interesting find, represented by a completely opalized skeleton of a small (not exceeding 15 cm) reptile, was made in 1909 in one of the Australian mines. Each part of the skeleton, replaced by opals endowed with unique color tints, was extremely well preserved. The curiosity, called the “opal snake,” was immediately acquired for a private collection.

Storage and care rules

Black opal requires constant care and careful storage. It can be worn constantly, in which case it takes moisture from the skin and does not dry out. If a black gem is rarely worn and stored in a box, it is necessary to periodically moisten it and wipe it with glycerin. This will prevent dehydration of the stone and cracking.

This stone is very fragile, so it should be protected from any mechanical impact. Even a slight impact or squeezing can damage it.

Black opal should not be allowed to come into contact with cosmetics, perfume and alkaline solutions. To wash the mineral, it is enough to use a mild soap solution and cool running water.