Australian opal: characteristics and wearing rules

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.

☘Information about natural Boulder opal

Information about natural Boulder opal

☘Origin story

Australian opal (another name for this mineral) is one of the highest quality opals. Some specimens of this stone can be painted in natural conditions with the entire spectrum of colors. These minerals are found in large accumulations of iron ore, which is why it began to be called that way. It can also be found in cracks and depressions in pebble rocks. Usually the stone is mined in some kind of matrix from ore, which allows it to maintain its strength and even improve some of the properties of the stone, for example, the play of color, the optical effect of opalescence, a characteristic feature of opals. It appears layered, a feature that is natural.

Due to its natural matrix, the boulder opal mineral has a much higher specific gravity than other opals. Therefore, it will look much smaller in size, while still having the same density. In order for the stone to sparkle with its colors and even gain even more opportunities to refract light, it is cut into non-standard shapes. This is the stone of October, and since it is assigned an official month, this indicates the real popularity and demand of the mineral.

☘Establishing the authenticity of a stone

In fact, it is quite easy to distinguish this mineral from others, and all thanks to its iron matrix, with which it is born and mined. The ore itself has a rather dark shade, so this has a beneficial effect on the color of the stone as a whole, making it more saturated and enhancing the color tint.

Among other things, the Australian opal stone has its own feature, named after it - opalescence. This makes it stand out among many other stones, so distinguishing it from similar minerals is not difficult. This feature is expressed in a peculiar reflection of light, which allows colors to play on the surface of the stone. It usually appears in a milky blue color, which is not standard for other stones. This effect seems to glide across the stone when viewed from different angles. In other stones, shades appear and disappear. Therefore, natural boulder opal is easily identified among a mass of other similar stones, even by simply examining its appearance.

☘Finding the stone

This particular type of stone is usually found in Australia, which is why it is otherwise called Australian stone. In this country, it is not only mined, but also, accordingly, processed and sold. Previously, this mineral was found in Slovak lands, but nowadays its deposits in this area have been depleted.

☘Stone color

Thanks to its specific play of colors, the Australian opal stone can display a wide range of colors, which will include all the colors of the rainbow and other shades. The most desirable shades are green, orange and blue, and sometimes yellow. If opal stands out for its opalescence, then in most cases it has a whitish, milky blue color. The most expensive samples often combine all shades of the spectrum without exception. The body of the stone is usually painted gray, brown or black.

☘Brightness and transparency of the mineral

Australian opal stone in its usual form is opaque, since it contains a decent amount of ore. Rarely can there be transparent samples, a little more often – translucent ones. In general, iron ore impurities make the stone opaque, and sometimes, visible through the body of the stone, even of poor quality and ugly, so, of course, translucent or pure samples are especially valued. The luster of opal is waxy or resinous, sometimes it is compared to plastic.

Buy natural opal boulder

☘Shapes and cutting

To preserve weight and appearance, this variety of opal is usually cut into free-form or slab shapes. This approach allows you to maximize its preciousness, beauty and unusual appearance. Sometimes it is made into a cabochon shape with a flat appearance and a low dome. But in general, the cut will depend on how large and thick the stone fell into the hands of the master. Rarely, Australian opals can have a wavy surface.

☘Gem upgrade

Stones as noble and rare as opal are rarely enhanced. They already have natural beauty and value. Layers of stone alternate with the matrix, creating a beautiful effect.

☘Varieties of mineral

— Opal doublet

Opals are composed of silicon dioxide, which indicates a high water content and crystal structure. Some varieties of opals are very rare and therefore valuable; Australian opal, which is very similar to a doublet, falls into this category. Both of them have a layered structure.

Popular varieties of the mineral: black, noble, white, fire, chocolate, regular varieties of opal, matrix, triplet and doublet opal - these minerals are quite common.
Not the most popular varieties of the mineral: Mexican, crystal, porcelain, wax, honey, wooden varieties of opal, harlequin, jelly, “angel skin”, glass stone, hydrophane - these minerals are considered little-known and unique.

☘Healing properties of boulder opal, mythological and metaphysical features of the stone

Since the natural opal blender mineral is one of the many branches of opals, it has collected a large number of different properties, legends and myths. The primary ability of the stone is to relieve its owner from a depressive state. The stone also helps you find your love. Due to the large number of color options, this mineral also has great capabilities. It helps with abdominal and back pain, relieves symptoms of stomach diseases and internal digestive organs. It is also good in preventing and reducing the symptoms of colds and flu.

This is the stone of October, and at the same time the signs of Cancer, Pisces, Libra and Scorpio, and Virgo also applies to it. Its elemental correlation is fire, although it has the power to influence any element.

Natural boulder opal stone

☘Stone design

Opals are famous for their softness, so they are often not used in absolutely all products and jewelry. But the boulder variety is usually enclosed in matrix ore, and this adds strength and durability to the mineral, which also affects the demand for the stone among jewelers and craftsmen. Almost any product can be sculpted from such material, but it is still important to understand that the stone itself must be protected in the decoration.

For Australian boulder opal, a closed frame is best suited, in which it will be well protected from unnecessary environmental influences. It is better to insert it into products that are least susceptible to impacts and frequent abrasions - earrings, brooches, necklaces. The stone will also look beautiful in pendants. It can also be inserted into rings, but with a protective frame, and usually a flat stone, which is what boulder opal usually is, is not suitable for such purposes. It is for this reason that you can not often find rings or bracelets with this mineral. It is worth remembering that this gem is not very suitable for jewelry for everyday wear; it is better to insert it into more expensive products for “going out”.

☘Mineral care

Natural boulder opal is very soft and fragile, so you need to take care of it accordingly. Otherwise, it may become damaged and crack. Do not store it near other stones, jewelry or hard materials. This is exactly the stone for which it is better to have a separate box and wrap it in a piece of soft fabric. You also need to thoroughly humidify the air in the room where your product is stored, as the stone may become dehydrated. If it is to be stored in a dry room for a long time, then it is advisable to put it in a bag next to a piece of damp cloth.

Do not overheat or overcool your stone, do not clean it with ultrasound, steam or hard brushes. When cleaning, it is best to use mild soap, a soft cloth and plenty of water. Otherwise, unwashed soap may damage the appearance and polish of the stone. Do not use aggressive agents when cleaning stone, acids, or bleaches. Do not wear jewelry with it everywhere, especially during physical activity, moving, where it can be damaged or exposed to too much temperature and pressure changes.

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:

N.S.W.
South Australia.
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.

Magic of stone

Australian opal is famous for its magical properties. In the old days, these stones were often endowed with certain characteristics.

Esotericists and magicians believed:

that a stone can subjugate a person’s energy;
make him kind and patient;
will help attract good luck and success in business.

It’s worth starting with the fact that opal has powerful energy. He is able to subjugate the owner if he is unsure of himself. Such a gem will not suit weak and modest individuals; it will subjugate the owner and impose its opinion on him. For this reason, the mineral is not suitable for everyone; it will not protect lazy and passive people prone to bad deeds.

White opal will make a person kind and patient, it will help him open up. The owner of the stone will unexpectedly begin to do good deeds.

But black opal does not differ in such characteristics. He is able to reveal a person from the other side, make him angry and unfriendly. But only on condition that the owner does not have a strong character.

Ring with Australian opal

Opal of any color and shade is a stone of strong people with character. It is worth wearing if a person wants to attract good luck, change his life in some way, cope with a series of failures and start living in a new way.

Black opal is often used in rituals - it helps magicians strengthen energy and predict the future. This stone is so powerful energetically that it can put a person into a stupor or trance, cloud his consciousness, force him to do something he doesn’t want to do.

To reduce the influence of the stone on the owner, it should be worn not every day, but in certain situations. Otherwise, the person may change beyond recognition, and the cause of such changes will be opal.

Characteristics and naturalness of the stone

The Australian mineral has unique properties, which explain its appearance. The characteristics of the stone are expressed as follows:

density of the substance - 2-2.2 g/cm3;
hardness on the Mohs scale - 6-6.5;
color - white or black with rainbow tints;
high opalescence;
bright iridescence.

The value of the mineral is assessed using external criteria. Rarity and beauty raise the price of a stone. Black opal is the most expensive type of substance. For one carat they can ask for up to $300, and the price of a white mineral is slightly less - up to $100 per carat.

Pendant with Australian opal

Such cost and rarity provoke the emergence of counterfeit stones. There are several ways to verify the authenticity of a mineral:

You should look at the stone in sunlight. The original will shimmer and shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, while the fake will glow with only one shade.
Natural opal will produce reflections in the sun that will reflect directly on your fingers.
It is enough to lick the mineral: the counterfeit or artificial stone will stick to the tongue. The verification method is only suitable if the stone is in your home.
The original has smooth transitions of colors and shades, while the fake has pronounced zoning.
The shimmer of opals in nature appears to be internal rather than superficial.
Under magnification, a cheap fake looks like pieces of glass or other material glued together.

What is boulder opal?

Boulder opals, mined mainly in Australia and Mexico, differ from ordinary minerals in their solidity and bright color play. They are processed without being separated from the natural “mother” substrate. The opalescence of such specimens is so magnificent and noble that they immediately stand out from other related minerals. Sometimes their shine seems incredible. That is why boulder opal (translated from English as “noble”) is one of the most expensive and rare ornamental minerals. It comes to Russia very rarely, and it is impossible to buy it due to the high price and the quick reaction of professional collectors trying to get them at any cost.

The base color of the stone can be white (or milky white) or black. Black opals are usually more expensive than others.

The magic of matter

Australian opals store a large amount of energy. The stone can be worn by strong-willed and decisive individuals who are endowed with leadership abilities. But the stone can subjugate people who are weak in spirit, so opals should be worn with caution, as there is a risk of developing bad habits. Sometimes the stone enhances negative character traits.

White opal, on the contrary, brings only positive emotions to the owner and enhances the best character traits. The stone is a symbol of the purity of the soul and purity of thoughts. It can be used as a talisman for the home, and can also be worn by representatives of professions such as doctors, veterinarians, and rescuers.

Opals often patronize creative people. Stones can reveal the meaning of life for a person, help in drawing up tasks and goals, as well as achieving them. But it is better not to buy a stone for people prone to laziness, since they will not be able to achieve material success.

The mineral not only develops flair, that is, intuition, but can also influence others. But opal will never cause harm; on the contrary, the stone will only work for the benefit of people.

Formation process

From a chemical point of view, Australian opals were created by mixing water and silica. Seeping through the layers of sandstones, the water takes along small particles of silicon. This creates a mixture that becomes solid after a long time. There is an assumption that the formation ended about 65-140 million years ago. The main place of their formation is considered to be the Great Artesian Basin.

When the water begins to dry out, the silicon particles gradually stick together. This is how opal spheres are formed. The diameter of each is measured in angstroms and can range from 1500 to 3000. At the same time, experts observe not only the unique coincidence of the spheres with each other, but also their natural “sorting” in the form of bizarre three-dimensional patterns. If the sphere has a diameter of about 3500 angstroms, the opal stone takes on red and orange colors. Spheres of smaller diameter (1500) give a blue spectrum, and all intermediate indicators reward minerals with green and yellow colors.

There is a well-known rule: the larger the diameter of the sphere, the brighter the mineral shines. Red Australian opal, along with black opal, is a rare specimen that glows especially brightly.

The healing properties of Australian opal

Opal has many effects, the main thing is to use them correctly. To begin with, jewelry owners should take a closer look at the stones. If the substance has faded, this means that the owner has health problems. Opal acts as an indicator of a person’s condition.

The stone can be worn by children. It promotes the harmonious development of the child. Opal has a good effect on the psyche, nervous and endocrine systems. Opal can prevent diseases and improve immunity.

A few minutes a day spent with black opal will help improve vision and relieve eye fatigue. The stone can be used to charge water. In this case, an infusion of liquid will help fight colds and diseases of the cardiovascular system. The mineral can relieve nervous disorders, protect against nightmares and insomnia. Opal fights stress and overload of the body, promotes rapid recovery.

The stone has a beneficial effect on men and women. For men it increases potency, and for women it helps fight infertility and subsequently ensures easier childbirth. The stone can cure melancholy and depression; with it, the owner will gain not only energy, but also an interest in life. The stone is also suitable for older people, improving overall well-being.

Opal fever: huge opals worth $1.2 million found in Australia (11 photos)

Author: Eva Tushenkina

28 March 2021 15:40

Community: News from around the World

Tags: Australia mining precious find gems opal find lucky

19553

Residents of Australia, Isaac and Sophia Andreu decided to try their luck by succumbing to the “opal fever”, and on the first try they found stunningly beautiful stones that are valued at $1.2 million. One of the brightest stones they found is museum quality, the size of a fist, and shaped like an egg. This is such an Easter gift.

See all photos in the gallery

Isaac and Sophia are brother and sister. For excavations they went to the Australian outback, to the tiny town of Yora with a population of 141 people west of Brisbane.

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This discovery will change their lives. Now they are thinking about buying their own mine.

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90 percent of the world's opals come from the Australian outback, and the gemstone is worth 500 times the value of gold.

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According to Sophia, opals are literally every color of the rainbow in your hands. And when this rainbow suddenly appears out of nowhere in the middle of the desert, you experience shock and pure amazement. “It’s impossible to describe in words how your heart is beating and your hair is standing on end,” Isaac added.

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The siblings were also joined on the search by Sophia's partner Chris Duff (pictured below right) and their friend David Darby (top left). Both Chris and David have a lot of experience in finding opals, but they have never had the luck that these newbies have had.

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David Darby has spent decades searching for opals and has extensive experience.

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Most opal miners are excited by the prospect of one day getting rich and becoming an overnight millionaire. And some people are really lucky.

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Opal boulders (nuts) are a type of matrix and boulder opal that are prized for their unique patterns.

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Opal fever is currently at an all-time high, but the risks are real and the fierce, rugged Australian environment is as unforgiving as ever - with scorching summer heat, tropical storms and some of the world's deadliest snakes.

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Particularly prized are Yowa and Koroite opals, the finest varieties of boulder opals to be found in the region.

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Source: - translated specifically for

Magical properties of opal

Ring with opal

The magic of opal is multifaceted and has not been fully studied, despite the long-standing popularity of the stone. This is not surprising, because the mineral has a huge number of varieties:

White gems are considered by esotericists to be stones of kindness and mercy. They enhance all his best qualities in a person, teach him compassion, and show him a desire to help those in need. At the same time, the owner of the opal himself becomes more open and attentive, quickly wins over people and gains their trust.
Black ones reveal the abilities of the human brain that are beyond understanding. Owners of black opals begin to anticipate dangers, predict events, recognize people's true motives, and even guess thoughts.
Blue and light blue are symbols of good luck and financial independence, motivators of personal development and professional growth.
Fire opals symbolize passion, courage, courage and fearlessness, attractiveness and irresistibility, rationality and determination.
Yellow are stones of stability and harmony.
Green gems are an impenetrable shield that protects from both physical misfortunes and negative influences.
Pink opals are symbols of love and sensuality.

Rainbow opals are friends of the Muse and sources of inspiration. But they are quite picky, as they look for true talents, nuggets, truly gifted people among the “applicants”. They will raise them to well-deserved heights, while the rest will only be given a dreamy mood and joy from their first victories at the very foot of Olympus. Therefore, opals are sometimes called “stones of false hopes.”

How to spot a fake

Opal is an expensive stone. Naturally, people hungry for easy money counterfeit it. Counterfeiting of opals dates back to the time of Pliny. Ordinary glass was heated and then cooled sharply. It cracked and became cloudy. It was a very crude fake, which could only be mistaken for opal in the twilight of a trading shop.

Modern technologies make it possible to grow artificial minerals that are indistinguishable from Australian opal. Doublets and triplets are also made, when a film of natural opal is glued to another mineral. Inexpensive, low-quality samples are impregnated with resins, which improves their appearance. In many cases, this is not called counterfeiting, but imitation, and is not prohibited by law. The main thing is to truthfully indicate the information on the price tag.

The most reliable way to buy natural Australian opal is to contact a reliable seller who can provide a certificate indicating the origin of the mineral.

There are also subjective methods:

artificial stone sticks to the tongue;
synthetics have air inclusions;
in doublets and triplets, layers are visible under a magnifying glass;
only in natural minerals all designs and patterns are unique with a soft transition of colors.

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: Heliodor - a stone born of the Sun

Physicochemical characteristics

Opal is not a mineral and is called that out of habit. In fact, it is a mineraloid related to silica.

Opal is a silica hydrogel. Its structure is interesting. The mineral is based on polymerized threads of amorphous silica and quartz fragments. The threads are twisted into balls, which are called globules. These packages are covered with a shell, which is close in shape to a cube. All elements are the same size and strictly ordered. The space between them is filled with water.

Thanks to this structure, the optical effects characteristic of Australian opal appear. A ray of light, hitting a stone, decomposes, which gives rainbow stains. This effect is called opalescence.

But not every opal has this property. Stones with a rainbow-colored glow are called noble. They are mined in Australia. Their peculiarity is that the size of the globules ranges from 0.15 - 0.3 microns. If the size is different, then the decomposition of light does not occur. Such, for example, is a white opal called cacholong.

Opal contains a lot of water: from 6 to 30%. When dehydrated, the stone cracks and becomes dull. When heated above 100 degrees, it completely evaporates water and turns into chalcedony. The mineral dissolves in an alkaline environment.

The properties of opal vary and depend on impurities. There are samples of black or brown color with many flashes, there are white stones with blue and purple spots, as well as red, yellow, green and blue opals. There is no single classification.

Opal is a soft stone. On the Mohs scale it is only 5.5 units.

Opal is not used anywhere in industry, but thanks to its iridescence it has become an expensive jewelry stone, which is used to make jewelry.