The opal stone is unlike any other rock; many secrets and legends are associated with it. Connoisseurs and practicing magicians claim that it contains a powerful force, energy that can heal diseases and change character for the better. Perhaps this is due to the amazing shine in the sun, depending on the species, you can notice a blue, reddish, greenish-brown glow.
Consider its diversity and significance for a person, recommendations for selection according to the type of appearance, options for use in jewelry.
Content:
Appearance
The most incredible colors are found in nature: deep black, white, blue, dark and light purple, green, red and even yellow. When sunlight hits the surface, the play of colors is not only continuous, but dotted and even mosaic. Gloss - both glossy and waxy. Although the fossil is considered quite strong, it breaks easily under excessive pressure.
Under natural conditions, it occurs like drips or dense masses resembling glass. There are also opal stalactites. And yet, the fact that the habitats of deposits of such fabulous beauty are located in volcanic areas that have long died out, or are still active, remains unchanged.
It is not known for certain where and when the breed was discovered, but the largest find was recorded in Australia, its weight was 5 kg. In second place is Brazil, where in 1998 they found a stone weighing more than 4 kg and a total cost of about 60 thousand dollars.
The darker the base of the mineral, the more clearly and piercingly its reflections appear. On white and milky species, the color overflow is vague, so they are considered the most accessible and inexpensive.
Varieties
In nature, you will not find two absolutely identical pebbles. Their radiance is so varied and changeable that there is still no complete classification. Impurities, for example, nickel or iron, are responsible for multi-colored blotches.
However, the most common varieties of these mysterious minerals are:
- White opal - opalescence (an iridescent or pearlescent glow that occurs when light hits the surface) plays with blue-white tints, sometimes a smoky reflection is noticeable. The stone itself is yellowish-milky.
- Noble or black - the rarest, most expensive and beautiful. It sparkles either with a couple of semitones, or with iridescent tints, which are emphasized by a rich dark background. The cost can reach several thousand dollars per carat, almost the same as a diamond.
- Fiery - fully or half transparent, a red or wine-yellow glow becomes noticeable when viewed from a certain angle. It seems as if the stone is covered with flame.
- Hyalite is completely transparent and resembles glass in appearance. The cheapest, used for making beads and inexpensive figurines.
- Hydrofan is cloudy, but tends to absorb water, after which it becomes transparent. This is due to the highly porous structure;
- Baudelaire - somewhat similar to the noble, only the opalescence of the Baudelaire stone includes brown motifs.
- Jirazol is transparent, has a blue sheen.
- Tsarsky - the center has a pink or red tint, the border is green.
- Cat's eye - somewhat similar to jade, but with a more intense green color.
Properties and meaning
How many subspecies of a gem exist, so many miraculous abilities are contained in each of them. Healers are confident that it is able to maintain the health of its owner.
In particular:
- improve mood and protect against insomnia;
- normalize blood pressure;
- relieve cramps;
- improve the work of the heart muscle;
- improve vision;
- improve digestion.
The properties and value of a gem depend directly on its type:
- Black relieves sexual overstrain caused by emotional troubles, heals bone tissue diseases, and reduces the harmful effects of toxic substances.
- Fiery is able to protect against stress, has a beneficial effect on the intestines and kidneys.
- White gives an inner sense of harmony, increases the pleasure of eating.
- Blue heals mental trauma.
- Blue-green helps to eliminate toxins.
- Green is responsible for strengthening the immune system.
- Pink enhances tissue regeneration.
If you are absent-minded and suffer from forgetfulness, astrologers recommend by all means making friends with an opal. Its magical properties lie in the ability to organize the thoughts and life of its owner.
It is also suitable for creative individuals to embody all unfulfilled desires into reality. He also pacifies, smooths out conflicts between loved ones, allows you to focus on the most important thing.
An interesting fact is that opal has a positive effect only on noble and honest people. People with dark thoughts and bad intentions should not expect help from him.
What signs of the zodiac are suitable
It is believed that each zodiac sign attracts a certain type of mineral:
- Persistent Cancers, wayward Scorpions and noble Aquarius will be approached by the powerful energy of a black stone. The rest are better off not messing with him.
- White will help Cancers to open up.
- Dark blue will make Aquarius stronger.
- For Libra and Gemini, fiery ones will help make the right decision.
- With fiery Virgos and Capricorns will be able to achieve harmony.
- To find love, Pisces and Scorpions need to make friends with red and blue-blue specimens.
- Pebbles with a bluish tint will direct the internal energy of Sagittarius and Taurus in the right direction.
- In general, the blue and white fossil colors are for fire signs.
- Aries, Leo and Sagittarius will be able to correct natural deficiencies and increase determination. At the same time, if you wear an opal ring on your ring finger, it will help to establish relationships with loved ones, strengthen your marriage, and for promotion it is better to put such a ring on your middle finger.
The 14th wedding anniversary is considered to be opal. Spouses need to purchase such a pebble so that it is a family talisman. People believe that he is able to change color if the union is threatened.
Choose by type of appearance
The incredible shine of the mineral and a wide variety of colors allows you to choose a special stone for any color type of appearance.
What suits who:
- blue-eyed - deep blue or blue;
- brown-eyed beauties - red and greenish;
- girls with gray eyes - stones from a bluish scale;
- green-eyed beauties - purple and emerald.
White and black varieties are suitable for everyone, without exception. People of the winter color type are impressed by fiery minerals.
Solid colors match outfits in pastels or any muted tones, while iridescent multi-color accessories match monochrome attire.
How to distinguish from a fake
Noble opal rocks of natural origin are of high value. This is due to the fact that they are not easy to mine, deposits are located in only a few places in Australia and Ethiopia. Also, fossils are quite problematic to process. When cut, the base bursts and crumbles.
Surviving and faceted material can be damaged by polishing. Getting a quality piece of jewelry is not an easy task.
Therefore, cunning businessmen found a way out - the creation of fakes. Let's make a reservation right away: only the pebble that was mined directly from the ore is called natural, it has been cut and polished.
In stores, under the guise of jewelry with an expensive fossil, you can buy the following:
- Melted glass - it is difficult to visually distinguish it from a jewel, however, in the sun, a natural pebble plays with flowers and leaves multi-colored glare on the fingers. Glass cannot do that. Also, the natural pigmentation is not the same, the patterns are florid, it is difficult to predict them. If you see clear lines or geometric patterns, this is a fake.
- Doublets - here part of the natural mineral is glued to a cheap substrate.
- Triplets - consists of three layers: an inexpensive base, an opal ball and a glass "dome".
- Artificially ennobled - if the material was rejected in production, it can be saved. Individual stones are impregnated with smoke and subjected to mechanical pigmentation.
- Synthesized opals are the most "honest" way, implying the creation of beauty in the laboratory. It turns out to be stronger due to the lower water content. The colors are formed by diffraction, in almost the same way as in the natural environment. Ripening occurs from one to one and a half years. Such jewelry is available to people with an average income, and scientists still have not decided whether to attribute the synthesized minerals to a number of fakes.
Use in jewelry
The gem is processed using the cabochon method, which allows it to preserve its original appearance as much as possible. Also, beads are carved from it for the further manufacture of necklaces, bracelets and other unprecedented beauties. Doublets and triplets are used as inserts in jewelry with gold.
The cost of finished products depends on the type of mineral used, the method of its cutting and the presence of other precious metals in the composition of the jewelry.
You can divide women's accessories as follows:
- Crafted entirely from opal. We are talking about beads, bracelets, rings and pendants, which are carved from a solid semi-precious base.
- Gold and silver necklaces, bracelets and pendants with inlay. They look charming and unusual, attract attention and delight others.
Since this radiant beauty contains a large amount of water, its abrupt evaporation can cause the gem to split.
Do not wear opal jewelry in hot weather and never leave it in the sun.
Trends 2019
The jewelry trends of the coming year urge women to use jewelry in abundance with bright details, catchy gems, noticeable and asymmetrical details.
The Boho style is returning to fashion, combining elements of vintage, hippie styles with an echo of gypsy and ethnic motives.
Take a closer look at accessories of large sizes, precious stones of red and pink tones are in high esteem.
What kind of jewelry is held in high esteem:
- Rings are large, rectangular or asymmetrical. It is welcome if there are a lot of them and they are all different types. Also in the trend are double and triple options.
- Bracelets should also be bulky. They can either be combined with an outfit or be in contrast to the main ensemble.
- Earrings are deliberately massive, even slightly rough.
Knowledgeable people recommend that jewelry in which the pebble is in direct contact with the skin should be worn constantly. Contact with the body maintains its beautiful appearance and does not fade.
What to wear with
This iridescent gem is so delicate and fragile that it is clearly not worth using it in everyday looks.
A noticeable necklace will harmoniously fit into a set consisting of a dark business suit, silk blouse and clutch bag. A-line dresses are also impressed by the A-line, made in soothing colors.
This wonderful fossil blends harmoniously with beige, peach, cream, blue and turquoise outfits.
Opal is a beautiful and charming mineral, but it is important that the hostess likes it.Otherwise, no matter what healing properties it possesses, no matter how beautifully it shimmers, there will be little sense from it. If it does not evoke sympathy, a feedback may even be established, with all the ensuing consequences.