Black opal - magical and healing properties, who suits it

Description of black opal

The dark surface with bright inclusions, characteristic of black opal, is reminiscent of the depths of space.
Black opal is one of the most common varieties of this gemstone. Color reflections are often blue, green, burgundy. However, the most expensive specimens have red and golden opalescence. The mineral looks unusual due to reflections. It requires careful treatment and special care. Drying out of the stone leads to the loss of specific characteristics and the appearance of cracks on its surface.

Coal Opal

About black color

The color of the night has always been the embodiment of power, magic and mysticism. Jewelry with dark and black inserts is often chosen by shamans, sorcerers and great generals.

Stones with a charcoal tint help the owner to concentrate during meditation, spiritual practices and rituals. Read more about night-colored gems in the article “Names of black stones in jewelry.”

Origin

Black opal “ripens” in voids formed after volcanic eruptions, as a result of the solidification of siliceous helium or silica.

The shade always depends on the presence of various impurities. Natural black opal is one of the rarest and most expensive. These stones appeared on the world market in the second half of the 19th century.

Legends

In ancient times, people believed that this coal gem was a gift from the gods. According to legend, opals appeared after Zeus cried with happiness after defeating the Titans. And his tears, falling to the ground, turned into coal gems.

The indigenous inhabitants of the Australian continent believed that black opals are the traces of the Creator of the World, who walked on the Earth.

In many eastern countries, this stone was perceived as a symbol of evil and deception. In Europe, black opal was revered as a talisman that brings wealth.

Coal Celebrities

In all centuries, these dark gems have been actively used by magicians and sorcerers. It was believed that they were able to repeatedly strengthen a person’s connection with the other world and discover extrasensory abilities in it.

A particularly famous black opal was the “Fire of Troy”. Napoleon gave this gem to his wife, and soon their marriage broke up.

No less famous are the “Halley’s Comet” and “Queen of the Night” opals. These stones are distinguished by their absolute beauty and impressive size. The weight of the first is 2021 carats, and the second is 1520 carats.

Origin story

Black opals are an amorphous form of silica, i.e. a combination of silicon dioxide and water. A mineral is not a stone in the full sense. This is a dense hydrogel. The water content in most samples does not exceed 1-5%, but in rare specimens it reaches 20%. The formation of opals occurs during post-magmatic activity, when the extinction of a volcano is accompanied by the appearance of geysers. Opals do not form in large layers. They fill voids in the rock, forming narrow veins or biconvex lenses.

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.

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.

Opal deposits

The name of the stone itself speaks about the deposits of the substance. The mineral can be found in the Great Artesian Basin area, which includes:

1. N.S.W.
2. South Australia.
3. Queensland.

Australian stones are prized in the jewelry market and are sold at auctions. The most expensive stones are mined at the Lightning Ridge mine. After extraction, the minerals are processed using the cabochon technique, which fully reveals the opalescence and shimmer of the stone.

Physicochemical characteristics

The chemical formula of black opal is SiO2.nH2. The color of the main body of the mineral is due to the inclusion of impurities of magnesium, potassium and iron oxides. Hardness on the Mohs scale is 5.5-6.5 points. The hydrogel has a characteristic glassy luster and pronounced opalescence. Density ranges from 1.96-2.20 g/cm³. Opal is quite soft and easily subject to mechanical stress. It can dissolve in alkalis. The structure of the mineral is preserved only if it is regularly in contact with water.

Geologically speaking, opal is a silica compound.

Australian opal

Looking inside these stones, we seem to be plunging into the depths of the starry sky and penetrating the secrets of the universe. Exotic shimmers and mysterious patterns drawn by nature itself fascinate and captivate the imagination.

Australian opals are some of the most valuable and unusual opals on the jewelry market. White and black stones from the continent of the same name attract miners from all over the world and become the object of adoration of millions of women. But only a few are destined to wear them.

We offer to learn about the deposits of Australian opals, how to evaluate them, the magical properties and rules for caring for these stones.

History of Australian opals

Today, Australia produces 90% of the world's total opal supply. Serious mining here began in the 19th century. The quality of the gems was so amazing that the world did not immediately believe in their authenticity, but very soon Australia began to attract miners from all over the world.

The discoverer of Australian opals was Johan Menge, a geologist from Germany, who in 1849 discovered the stones in the south of the country, in the city of Angaston. By the end of the century, industrial mining began in the state of New South Wales - in the cities of White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge, as well as in the state of Queensland, in the town of Opalton.

Later, several more rich deposits were discovered and our production is carried out in 5 Australian cities:

• Queensland;
• Lightning Ridge;
• Coober Pedy;
• White Cliffs;
• Andamooka.

The most interesting and developed lands are Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge.

Coober Pedy field

Coober Pedy is an underground city, even the name translates as “white man’s hole.” This small and distinctive place provides up to 40% of all opal production on the planet, while the population of the town is less than 2,000 people.

Since almost every resident of Coober Pedy is engaged in opal mining, all life is concentrated below the surface of the earth, and this is very convenient: people get into the mines directly from their apartments. In addition, the air temperature in these extremely dry places can reach 40 degrees Celsius, and in the mines it does not rise above 20 degrees.

Each underground house is a former mine with no more precious stones left in it. Each dwelling is equipped with a special ventilation system, but has no more than two windows to prevent desert dust from entering. By the way, a pressing problem for the population of Coober Pedy is the high cost of water, but the infrastructure of the city is quite developed - there are bars, restaurants, shops, and even a souvenir shop and a hotel for tourists.

Although Australia is famous for its abundance of black precious opals, Coober Pedy produces mainly white stones, but of very high quality. The starting price for gems from Coober Pedy is hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Lightning Ridge Field

The second known opal mine in Australia is located very close to the town of Lightning Ridge. For the most part, the supply of stones here has already been depleted, but groups of volunteers continue to search in the hope of trying their luck and their attempts are regularly successful. Today, tourists regularly visit Lightning Ridge to explore the legendary mines.

The depth of the mines at this deposit reaches 50 meters. Miners use a hydraulic scraper to separate limestone rocks that may contain opals. This rock is then loaded into wheelbarrows and taken outside to wash and sort the nuggets. The lands of Lightning Ridge have already brought the world a lot of black opals, which are of the greatest value.

The weather conditions in the city are also unfavorable, the air temperature can rise to 50 degrees Celsius, but this does not stop entire generations of miners from settling near the mine and looking for opals. Just one mined stone can make them very wealthy people.

Characteristics and naturalness of Australian opals

The value and uniqueness of Australian opals is determined by the properties of the mined nuggets, these include:

• color/tone;
• drawing;
• brightness;
• form;
• presence of inclusions (impurities);
• opal deposit.

For example, the presence of red shades in a stone can greatly increase its price, and a “Harlequin” pattern helps classify opal as the most rare and expensive.

The brightness of stones is determined on a special scale from 1 to 7, where 1 means the highest brightness, and 7 means the most dim.

Regularly shaped opals are valued higher because they are easier to process, but uneven stones lose some of their mass and, therefore, their value when cut.

As for the presence of impurities, they can determine the pattern of the opal, its transparency, brightness, and color. These may include inclusions of magnesium, iron, manganese and other substances. For example, the presence of copper gives the stone a reddish tint, and a large amount of iron is characteristic of boulder opal, which is one of the most valuable specimens of black Australian gems.

Boulder opal with iron admixture

The location of the stone also affects its price, but rather indirectly: black opals are mined in Lightning Ridge, white opals are mined in Coober Pedy, respectively, the former are more expensive than the latter.

Considering the high demand for precious opals, we should not forget that among sellers there is a great temptation to fake a stone and sell it at the price of a natural one. For this reason, you should be careful when purchasing products with Australian gems. There are several ways to check their authenticity:

1. Examine the stone in the sun: the glare from a natural stone will be reflected directly on your fingers, and from a fake one it will scatter in the air.
2. Natural stone has smooth color transitions, while in fake they are sharper and rougher.
3. The glow of natural opals seems to come from within, while fake ones shine superficially.
4. Colored glass glues can be identified under a magnifying glass.

In any case, in order to accurately determine the naturalness of an opal, it is better to contact a professional jeweler or a gemological laboratory (one of the most authoritative is GIA, an American institute that issues conclusions on the authenticity of Maxim Demidov stones).

Magical properties of the stone

There is an unfounded claim on the Internet that opals contribute to the development of bad habits in a person and subjugate the character of their owner. As a rule, such information is disseminated by diamond sellers who find it difficult to tolerate competition with a brilliant rival.

According to esotericists, opals can protect against negative energy: the evil eye, envy, and the effects of black magic. It is also believed that opal can save the life of its owner and helps establish harmony in work.

In the East, opal is considered a symbol of fidelity and hope - this interpretation is due to the tenderness and beauty of the stone. Multi-colored opals can inspire change and creative solutions to life's troubles, while white stones provide patience to those who need it and help establish communication with people.

Wearing opals is useful for forgetful people, athletes and those who work with large amounts of information. Gems are also used as home talisman, this especially applies to white opals.

What astrologers are talking about

Astrologers talk about the high compatibility of opals with such signs as:

• scorpion;
• a lion;
• cancer;
• fish.

In other words, this type of stone is suitable mainly for representatives of the water elements, especially Scorpios: for them, opals serve as a stabilizer, helping to balance the explosive nature.

For Cancers and Pisces, opal will give strength, self-confidence and help cope with depression, which representatives of these signs often suffer from. But they should not wear the gem every day, so as not to suffer from an excess of strength and not to waste extra emotional and psychological resources on unnecessary things.

For Leos, the stone is also favorable, but on the condition that they do not abuse its energy by starting to lecture others and behave too self-confidently. To do this, the stone should be worn away from the heart, for example, on the hand, and not in the form of a pendant.

The healing properties of Australian opal

According to lithotherapists, specialists in the treatment of diseases with the help of stones, opal has a large list of properties that help in the treatment of various diseases.

Opals are useful to wear:

• for diseases of the cardiovascular system (especially if you wear a stone on your chest in the form of a pendant);
• for gout, rheumatism and arthritis;
• for vision problems, opal helps to relax the eye muscles;
• for violations of male or female health;
• for depression, depression and weakness.

Opal is a stone that protects the nervous system from overload and restores interest and taste for life. Therefore, it is useful for those who work a lot or have serious health problems that take a lot of energy.

According to an old belief, opals can be an indicator of a person’s general condition: if the stone suddenly becomes dull, then the owner should seriously concern himself with his health and undergo a medical examination.

How to care for opal

It is believed that opals are brittle stones that can suddenly crack and break into pieces on their own, but this is not entirely true. The hardness of opals is indeed lower than that of most other jewelry stones - it can be compared to the hardness of glass. But the stone itself does not break; it simply requires a more careful attitude towards itself.

You should not wear opal during sports activities or in contact with hard surfaces during exercise. Working in the garden or rearranging furniture are also reasons to remove the decoration and put it in a safe place.

It is believed that opals should not be taken on board an airplane to prevent them from being destroyed by strong atmospheric pressure. In fact, the flight will not affect the condition of the stone in any way.

Internet experts write that you need to regularly place opals in water to prevent them from drying out. Indeed, opals need additional moisture, but they perfectly absorb it from the air while wearing. Therefore, there is no need to additionally moisturize the stone, including with glycerin or oils.

If you notice that the stone has scratches or has become dull, do not try to restore its shine with cleaning products or bleach, as this can seriously damage the jewelry. If you are unhappy with the appearance of the stone, hand it over to professionals who will carry out high-quality polishing of the opal without harming the jewelry.

By the way, for your careful attitude, opal will definitely respond in kind to you. For example, it is believed that if you give an opal on the 13th anniversary of a marriage, it will definitely strengthen it and preserve the union for many years to come. The stone will smooth out all disagreements in the family and bring happiness to the house.

If you want to purchase unique jewelry with opals from Australia, you can find them in the Maxim Demidov catalog. Fantastic products with natural black and white stones will inspire you to create the most daring and impressive images that no one can repeat.

Medicinal properties

For medicinal purposes, both contact with the stone and a water tincture are used. In addition, the mineral is used to prevent many diseases.

Universal

Lithotherapists note the following medicinal properties of dark opal:

• stabilization of the psycho-emotional state;
• restoration of kidney function;
• cleansing the body of toxins;
• activation of wound healing;
• reduction in the number of migraine attacks;
• increasing immunity;
• improved vision;
• suppression of inflammatory processes, etc.

Water tincture

Dark opal is used to infuse water.

It is believed that the mineral can improve the taste of the liquid and give it healing properties. Drinking such water helps suppress infectious diseases.

In addition, it helps to improve immunity and eliminate the manifestations of pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Therapeutic effect

Universal properties

Black opal is a stone of longevity. It has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system: it helps overcome stress, depression, relieves negative emotions, bad mood, and normalizes sleep.

It alleviates the condition of cramps, increased muscle tone, and nervous tics. Relieves toothache and headache. Helps the heart work in the right rhythm. It has a beneficial effect on the processes of gastric peristalsis.

Regular contemplation of the stone normalizes intraocular pressure.

Infusion of water

Black opals are useful for problems with the immune system and increase resistance to colds.

Water infused with gems is especially effective in such cases. It helps fight viruses and “muffles” inflammatory processes.

An aqueous tincture of black opal has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system, helps to get pregnant, facilitates childbirth and bearing a baby. It gives masculine strength to representatives of the stronger sex.

The magic of black opal

Black opal is not suitable for all people. His influence will be useful only to strong personalities. He will help them achieve their goals. It is not suitable for weak-willed people.

Positive

The positive magical properties of the stone are accessible only to strong, but at the same time honest and benevolent people. The mineral is able to expand the capabilities of the mind and strengthen the intuition of the owner. When in contact with the stone, a person can gain self-confidence and gain strength to implement the largest projects.

In addition, black stone can sharpen perception. Under the influence of opal, a person can reveal his talents, incl. paranormal. The mineral is suitable for people suffering from phobias. It will help you overcome your fears. Opal is recommended to be carried by a person who has a long journey ahead. It will protect you from troubles and bring good luck.

Negative

It is believed that magicians use opal to prepare poisons. It is dangerous for weak-willed people to come into contact with this mineral, because this may push them to commit crimes and take unnecessary risks. In addition, opal reflections increase the craving for gambling.

Balance

It is believed that the balance of the negative and positive magical influence of opal will be achieved only if its owner steps over personal greed and selfishness. The owner of the gem will receive maximum benefit, but will always need to balance between virtue and vice.

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.

Combinations of black opal and other minerals

Opals with a dark base have powerful energy. They go well only with stones belonging to the elements of Water and Earth, including:

• topaz;
• pearls;
• alexandrite;
• tourmaline;
• emerald;
• nephritis;
• turquoise;
• zircon;
• malachite;
• moonstone;
• chalcedony;
• aquamarine;
• agate, etc.

Black opal pairs well with many other stones.
It is not recommended to wear opal with minerals belonging to the elements of Fire and Air, incl. ruby, amethyst, amazonite, beryl, garnet and diamond.

The history of opal

During the times of Ancient Rome and Greece, the mineral was held in high esteem by the population. The rare stone was considered a symbol of fidelity and constancy, despite its black tint. The name is translated from Latin and Sanskrit almost identically and means “precious stone”.

Australian opal

Australian minerals were found in the 19th century, the first mention in books dates back to 1872 and the discovery of new deposits. The world did not immediately believe in the authenticity of the minerals, since their appearance was unusual and their color was rich. Therefore, a large number of people migrated to Australia to make sure of the presence of such gems, mine them and get rich. Currently, 90% of the total stone volume is mined in Australia.

Not all stones have a black base. There are specimens in dark blue, gray-black or dark green shades. But the most valuable are black minerals with red tints. The same specimens, only with a white base, are called boulders. Sometimes there are translucent stones that have even greater opalescence.

The Australian aborigines say that the stones were sent to their land by God; they appeared immediately in the places where he walked. Local legends say that the mineral appeared in the places where a rainbow fell into the Earth. Science shows that the formation of the stone took place over millions of years. The exact origin is unknown, but the mineral is believed to have formed in crevices on the former sea floor. In these lagoons and crevices, not only water collected, but also the remains of flora and fauna, which mixed with silicon in the soil and, after millennia, gave this result.

The stones are so unforgettable that some of them have become famous throughout the world. They were given names. In particular, I remember the following instances:

• "Australian Olympics", a mineral named after a sporting event in Melbourne. The stone is valued at $2.5 million and weighs 3.5 kilograms.
• Jupiter 5 resembled a planet, weighed about 4 kilograms and now adorns a private collection.
• "Halley's Comet" is an opal that is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Its weight is only 400 grams, but the age of the stone is about 20 million years. A copy was found in 1986.
• The Pride of Australia is a black opal that is shaped like the Australian continent. In the middle of the twentieth century, the stone ended up in America, in one of the Los Angeles museums, but was stolen over time. The location of the stone is currently unknown.

How to distinguish a real stone from a fake

To determine the naturalness of a mineral, you need to examine the structure of the stone under a magnifying glass. If it contains sparkles, the gem is not real. When the mineral is natural, when refracted, the rays create a play of light.

In addition, you need to apply the gem to the skin. Rapid heating indicates a fake. Natural mineral remains cool for a long time, unlike plastic and glass. It is more difficult to identify a fake if it is made of natural opal of a light shade. When creating it, the stone is pumped with black liquid. Opalescence is clearly visible against a dark background.

Only gemological examination can determine a fake.

Counterfeits and checks

Australian dealers have been sounding the alarm for years. The market for jewelry stones is flooded with black opals in incredible quantities. They are sold as Australian ones, but the supply chains invariably lead to Southeast Asia.

It was decided to check more than a dozen “noble black opals” with the best gemologists in Moscow. Examination result: painted stones. This is not a natural black opal.

The technology is simple: cheap white opals are “pumped” with dark liquid. The stone darkens, and the opalescence of the gem looks more impressive against a dark background.

We recommend: How is the purity of an emerald determined?

It is clear that white opals are not uncommon; there is no need to sail or fly to distant Australia to get them.

Today's fakes are difficult to distinguish from natural stones. But still, what should alert you when buying: opal has the same rainbow radiance on both sides. Natural stone, as a rule, is highly opalescent only on one side, while on the other it is almost matte. This is due to the growth characteristics of the gem. The glow is even and strong from all sides - which means we suspect “pumping”.

Important: pumped opals (there is information) quickly lose moisture and become covered with craquelures (cracks, like oil paint on old paintings).

There is the only reliable way to distinguish natural black opal from a fake. This is to take it for examination to a good gemological laboratory. Believe me, when buying a stone that costs the annual budget of a small state, you will not go broke if you find one of the best gemological laboratories.

In the article about cognac diamonds, we wrote in detail about such laboratories, which ones should be chosen to test an expensive stone, and which ones should be avoided. Check the stone, get a certificate and be proud of your purchase.

Educational: Top quality black opals often cost more than diamonds.

How to wear it correctly

Jewelry with opal can be combined with both everyday and evening outfits. The strength of the mineral is low, so you need to protect it from falling from a height. The structure of the stone is quite porous, so it is undesirable for cosmetics or perfume to get on its surface.

A brooch with black opal is the best choice of a talisman for a woman.

Taking care of precious jewelry

It is necessary to care for the rainbow mineral. There are many tips for caring for opals, but there are some that we want to refute.

Opals need to be “impregnated” with water to avoid cracking.

Australian black opals are non-porous and do not require impregnation with water, oil or anything similar. But if the stone is cracked, wetting will temporarily hide the cracks.

Ring with black opal

Soaking doublets and triplets in water and lubricating them with oils will simply harm them. Layers of stone may become unstuck during this procedure.

To “revitalize” the color and shine of the stone, it is useful to wipe it with glycerin or water.

You can wet the gem; it will shine brighter for a short time. But the original shine can only be restored by professional polishing of the gem.

Opal is a very fragile stone and can easily break or crack.

This is true, but to a certain extent. Opal is approximately equal in hardness to glass. You can experiment with glass to understand what kind of effort should not be applied to black opal jewelry.

Placing the opal outside during a thunderstorm helps enhance the color and rainbow of the stone.

Neither thunder nor lightning will help increase opalescence. Most likely, these are echoes of the ancient Arab myth that opals are born from lightning.

Storage and care

Jewelry with dark opal should be stored in a separate bag made of soft fabric. It is not recommended to leave it in a box with other jewelry. This will help avoid cracks and scratches on the surface of the mineral. About 2 times a month you need to wash the gem under running water. After this, you should leave the stone in damp cotton wool for 2-3 hours. Then the surface of the stone is rubbed with glycerin oil. This will reduce the risk of drying out and cracking of the mineral. The gem should not be left in direct sunlight.

Terms of use

Decorations

Jewelry with dark opal always looks impressive, rich and elegant. It is often placed in a frame made of gold (white and yellow), platinum or silver.

The stone looks most impressive in bracelets, earrings or brooches. They also make men's jewelry with it: rings, tie clips, cufflinks and pendants.

Choosing a stone by character and name

Black opals are contraindicated for tough, embittered and selfish individuals. They are suitable for generous, generous and kind people.

Opal will have a strong positive effect on women named Marina and Albina, and on men named Stefan and Vitaly.

Regardless of the name, the stone will benefit the person who inherited it from a loving relative.

How to wear and matching neighbors

Black opal cannot be worn daily (with the exception of sorcerers and magicians). It is advisable to wear it only at fateful moments: exams, important business negotiations, serious transactions, etc. Creative people can wear jewelry in times of crisis when inspiration leaves them.

The best day to contact black opal is Tuesday.

Black opal can “coexist” in jewelry with aquamarine, emerald, diamond, garnet, rock crystal, amethyst, ruby, aventurine, chrysoprase, hyacinth, turquoise, moonstone, jasper, heliotrope and beryl.

How to spot a fake

It is not difficult to recognize an imitation. Multi-colored highlights on a natural gem are distinguished by smooth tints, “refract”, play in the light and are reflected on surrounding objects. On a fake one, they look like clear colored splashes and do not “react” to changes in the angle of inclination.

They may try to pass off as coal opal a “triplet”, a synthetic crystal of three layers, with only natural material in the middle. To distinguish a “triplet”, look at the stone from the side. Read more in the article “Synthetic opals: how to distinguish a fake.”

Care and storage

Porous black stone requires careful handling:

• Wear jewelry only after finishing cosmetic procedures. Opal is able to absorb creams, hairspray, eau de toilette, etc.
• Always wrap your jewelry in suede or velvet before storing it in your jewelry box.
• Every few months, wipe the opal with a gentle cloth dampened with a weak solution of water and baby soap.

To prevent it from drying out, polish it with a cloth soaked in glycerin every two to three months.

Interesting Facts

There are many interesting factors associated with black opals:

1. In Egypt, this gem was associated with death. It was used in funeral rituals.
2. In many eastern countries, dark opal was a symbol of deception.
3. Medieval alchemists introduced crushed gems into poisons.
4. According to one Australian legend, opals were formed in places where the Creator walked.
5. Opal compounds surrounded the skeletons of ancient animals, protecting them from decomposition.

In addition, the fates of many historical figures are connected with this mineral. It is believed that Julius Caesar had a talisman with a dark opal and helped him in his conquests. The mineral turned away from its owner when he became proud.

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.

Natural features of stone and its varieties

Opal cannot be called a solid mineral, since it does not have a crystalline structure at its core. A stone is formed in the bowels of the earth from liquid silica, which has solidified, but retains a certain amount of water. Opal can also appear in cavities of petrified lava filled with siliceous helium after volcanic eruptions. It is curious that if you place this stone in water, it will gradually begin to swell and change its color.

With a certain degree of convention, these minerals are divided into several types:

• black opal is a stone with a dark gray or completely black base;
• white – it is characterized by a milky white color, characterized by a large number of shades;
• fiery - representing the entire spectrum of red-brown tones;
• hydrofan - includes all varieties of green color, and if you put it in water, it becomes transparent;
• harlequin is an absolutely transparent mineral.

In addition, according to their properties, these stones are divided into two groups - noble and ordinary opals.

Magical properties of the stone

From time immemorial, it was believed that all minerals are, to one degree or another, connected with the other world, which makes it possible to perform various magical actions with their help. This was especially true for black opal, the properties of which provided rich food for human imagination. It was believed, in particular, that it has unusually strong energy and is the best amulet against black magic. In addition, the stone was credited with the ability to reveal in people the supposedly inherent ability for occultism. For this reason, black opal has always been a favorite stone of all kinds of sorcerers and witches, which often caused fear.

This stone greatly spoiled its already very dubious reputation in past centuries, since when crushed it was an integral part of many poisons. In addition, it was believed that it has the ability to evoke a feeling of hostility towards the donor, bordering on hatred (remember the conflict between Napoleon and Josephine). For this reason, it is not recommended to choose opal (especially black) as a friendly or even more so a romantic gift.