Opals

The opal is one of the most desiredd gems in all of nature, and is also October's birthstone. It's also the traditional gift given for the fourteenth wedding anniversary, and has been mined by the tribes of ancient Central Africa, the Aztecs, and even Eastern Europeans. There were opals decorating the crown that belonged to the Holy Roman Emperor, as well as featured among France's crown jewels, and were given mention in the works of Shakespeare and Sir Walter Scott as well. Josephine was given an opal by Napoleon, and opals were also often given out as wedding presents from Queen Victoria.

In Scandinavian countries, it was believed that by wearing an opal in one's hair, one could keep it from becoming gray; other cultures prized opals because of other mystical properties that they thought they possessed. Arab culture, for instance, believed that opals could prevent lightning from striking and make the wearer invisible, as well as exceptionally energetic and supernaturally strong of kidneys and heart and resilient against any kind of infection.

The Romans saw the opal as an icon representing luck, purity and hope; it is also known as 'The Queen of Gems' because of its luminescent properties which reflect the full spectrum of colors at certain angles.

The opal is most known for the way that it plays with colors, and can be found in a wide variety of colors themselves, from the common white opal, to hues from black to clear and translucent reds and oranges, as well as 'boulder opals' and opals containing iron oxide.

Australia provides most of the world's opals the black opal is the scarcest variety of opal, and subsequently the highest in price and value. Brazil also provides some of the world's white opals, while Nevada in the United States and Mexico provide crystal and fire opals.

The value of an opal is most often dependent upon the opal's colors and patterns, with opals that flash fiery, red patterns being the more adored. Opals that feature flashes of green and blue are more common and possess less value, and also are usually found in much smaller sizes, so all of these factory determine their overall value. A white opal might sell for a few bucks per carat, while a black opal can demand one thousands dollars for the same amount.

A majority of opals are cut into cabochons, which are rounded as opposed to faceted, and which enable the natural play of light to enhance their coloration, while naturally occurring opals in this shape are exceptionally rare. Some opals are treated in a solution of sugar and sulfuric acid, which enhances the play of color and darkens the body of the stone. The appearance and durability of opals is also aided by the addition of resins and wax, hardeners, and oils.

Opals are easy to crack of scratch because of their 5.5 rating on the Mohs scale, so one needs to treat them carefully. Never use chemicals to clean opals, or electronic cleaners; instead, opt for a soft cloth and a small amount of olive oil.