Australian opal stone – properties, virtues & benefits

Australian Opal Stone is a unique and beautiful gem known for its shimmering colors and unique variations. Discover its fascinating history and learn more about this Australian gemstone.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AUSTRALIAN OPAL

  • Chakra: Crown.
  • Properties: Harmony, creativity, promotes self-confidence and communication.
  • Astrology: Uranus.
  • Zodiac: Cancer, Libra, ScorPio, Pisces.
  • Elements: Water, fire.
  • Colors: Varied, with a play of shimmering colors.
  • Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.
  • Chemical Formula: SiO2-nH2O.
  • Associated god: None.

OPAL STONE FROM AUSTRALIA – ITS HISTORY

As soon as it was discovered, this mineral aroused the interest of its owners. According to Pliny the Elder’s accounts, Senator Nonius was exiled by Antony (83-30 BC) for refusing to sell an opal valued at 20,000 sesterces. He maintained his position and was banished with the opal. This decision subsequently spawned a legend that Nonius’ opal had been found in the ruins of Alexandria before being sold in Constantinople for thousands of ducats. Later, a wealthy French merchant named Lironcourt bought it for 40,000 thalers. Whether this story is true or false is unknown, but it has enhanced the stone’s reputation.

Later, celebrities such as Joséphine de Beauharnais also showed an interest in minerals, including an opal nicknamed “Incendie de Troie” because of its incandescent color. Unlike Empress Eugenie, Queen Victoria was instrumental in popularizing these gems, not believing they were bad luck. The word “opal”, derived from the Latin “opalus” and the Greek “oppallios”, means “to see a change of hue”. The aborigines considered it to be the “desert of fire”, believing that the gem appeared when the rainbow touched the sky. Since its discovery, opal has fueled myths and legends.

In the mid-1800s, opal was first discovered in Australia, probably after animals accidentally lifted rocks revealing its presence. Since then, mining of this gemstone has boomed, with Australia now the world’s leading producer, with deposits in southern New South Wales and Queensland. Not only does Australia dominate the opal market in terms of quantity, it is also the leader in quality, its opals being considered some of the best in the world. In 1993, this gem became a national symbol in Australia.

Naturally very luminous, opal can take on different hues, such as gray, green and white, which are the most common. The black hue is the rarest. In Africa, this stone is considered a symbol of blessings. Devout Christians see it as proof of imminent sPiritual ascension, while Freemasons regard it as a mineral enabling passage between heaven and earth.

OPAL STONE FROM AUSTRALIA – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

WHICH ARE THE DIFFERENT VARIETY OF NATURAL OPAL IN AUSTRALIA?

To be considered natural, an opal must not have been treated, with the exception of cutting or polishing. It can have different appearances, such as clear, black, blocky or matrix. Note that Boulder opal, which has an iron backing, is considered natural because the iron exists without external intervention. Two elements must be taken into account when classifying an opal: body tone and transparency. Naturally, the tonalities of light, dark and black opals range from colorless to black, as well as white or various shades of gray. In terms of transparency, opal can be opaque, translucent or transparent. When translucent or transparent, it is called crystal opal.

BACK OPALS IN AUSTRALIA

The black variety of opal is the most sought-after of all gems. It comes mainly from Lightning Ridge and is generally of high quality. This opal is easily recognized by its black ground color and dark hue when viewed from the front, although it can be crystalline or opaque. It is not uncommon for a black opal to have a bar of light crystalline hue on a potch of dark opal (colorless opal), giving the opal a dark appearance. In rare cases, this black opal may be streaked with bright red.

These gems are mainly found in the Lightning Ridge mines in New South Wales. Because of its rarity, black opal is more expensive than clear versions and even than B opal.

CLEAR OPALS IN AUSTRALIA

Opal is described as clear when its basic tone varies from colorless to silvery. However, to qualify as “white”, this gem must have a very milky hue. Today, clear opal is considered the most precious. It is mainly mined from Coober Pedy and Mintabie in South Australia, but was first discovered in the White Cliffs deposits in New South Wales.

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OPAL BOULDER IN AUSTRALIA

B. opal is a gem form in which the cabochon is formed naturally as an integral part of the ore. Sometimes a single fine vein of precious opal is present. It can be found in specific areas of western Queensland and is nicknamed rock opal because of its crack-filled appearance, usually in iron rock. B. opal can be black or clear, depending on the appearance of the surface stone. Long a little-known gemstone, B. opal became a prestigious success in the 1970s. To preserve their uniqueness, these gems are cut with the ironstone as host. They can be found in Andamooka or South Australia, where they are called quartzite, and are also nicknamed “painted ladies”.

OPAL MATRIX IN AUSTRALIA

The term “matrix opal” is used to describe an opal that fills pores or holes in the host rock. Boulder matrix opal is found only in Queensland and is iron-bound. This porous gem comes from Andamoka in South Australia. To enhance its hue, it is often treated with chemically deposited black carbon.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND AN OPAL IN AUSTRALIA?

Although Australia has many mining areas, four regions are particularly renowned for their opal production: Coober Pedy, Andamooka, White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge. Today, Australia accounts for 95% of the world’s opal production, mainly for jewelry. Australian opals compete with those from other countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Tanzania and Indonesia.

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Every year, the export of these precious stones earns Australia at least A$200 million. The main opal deposits are found along the former “Great Inland Sea” or “Great Artesian Basin”, although the location of deposits varies according to the type of opal:

  • White or milky opal can be found in South Australia.
  • Black opal is very common at Lightning Ridge.
  • B. opal is to be found in Queensland.

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WHAT IS THE PRICE OF OPAL?

After being extracted from the mine, opals come in the form of large rough specimens. They are then sorted and sold in various forms, such as doublet opal stones, opalized fossils or rough opal specimens. Depending on customer requirements, opals are either cut directly or sent to jewelers. Once graded, gems are sold by the carat or by weight. Due to the diversity of Australian opals, prices can vary considerably, ranging from $10 to $6,000 per carat.

Not all gems are valued at the same billing level, and in general, Australian opals are more expensive than gems from other countries.

WHAT VARIES THE RATE OF AN OPAL?

The value of an opal depends on several factors. Firstly, the origin of the gemstone is important. Certain regions are associated with premium quality gems, such as Australia, which produces highly sought-after opals. However, searching for stones in Australia can be dangerous and expensive. Secondly, the size of the opal is a crucial element in determining its value. The larger the stone, the more valuable it is, as it offers more possibilities to goldsmiths. Finally, the opal’s hue is an important criterion. Jewelers look for a bright, luminous sparkle that will magnify their creation. To establish an opal’s value, they examine various parameters such as brilliance, hue density, quality of hue play, pattern orientation and inclusions. Depending on these criteria, the price of opal can vary from $10 to $6,000 per carat.

AUSTRALIAN OPAL STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

Psychological aspects of australian opal

Surprisingly, until the 19th century, Australian opal was considered a stone of misfortune. However, this was never true. Today, opal is a stone to be trusted. However, this stone is not recommended for people with explosive temperaments, as it absorbs surrounding energy before sending it back to its owner, amplifying negative emotions.

DesPite this, opal symbolizes tenderness and purity of feeling. It is associated with the crown chakra, promotes sleep, intuition and creativity. Opal enthusiasts believe it helps one to become more clairvoyant and to make contact with sPiritual beings and the subtle planes. Wearing opal jewelry can bring a feeling of love and wisdom. Shy people can benefit from an opal pendant, which can help them gain self-confidence and assert themselves. Opal promotes reflection, improves sleep quality and is purifying. It also protects against negative energies and evil sPirits.

PHYSICAL AUSTRALIAN OPAL

Australian opal also has beneficial properties for the human body. It is reputed to help fight infections, both benign and malignant, as well as to relieve digestive disorders and gastric reflux. It can also help regulate kidney and bladder function. In the event of an attack on the body, opal can help by stimulating blood cell production. Other benefits include reducing certain skin problems, purifying the liver and eliminating gallstones.

AUSTRALIAN OPAL STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

Australian opal is a precious stone that requires special care to preserve its properties and shimmering colors. Here are a few tips for cleaning and recharging your Australian opal stone:

Cleaning:

  • Avoid using chemicals or abrasive cleaners to clean your Australian opal stone.
  • Gently clean with warm water and mild soap, using a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and impurities.
  • Carefully dry the stone with a soft cloth.

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  • Australian opal stone can be recharged by placing it on a cluster of quartz crystals or crystal geodes for several hours or overnight.
  • It can also be recharged by placing it in the light of the full moon overnight.
  • Avoid placing your Australian opal stone in direct sunlight or in a warm place, as this may damage the stone’s shimmering colors.

By following these simple tips, you can care for your Australian opal stone and preserve its unique beauty and properties for many years.

WHERE DOES THE NAME AUSTRALIAN OPAL COME FROM?

The name “Australian opal” refers to the geographical origin of this gemstone. Indeed, opal was first discovered in Australia in the late 19th century, and it is still the world’s leading opal producer today. Australia is famous for its high-quality opal mines, which produce stones with shimmering colors and unique variations. As for the name “opal”, it comes from the Latin word “opalus”, meaning “precious stone”.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES AUSTRALIAN OPAL WORK FOR?

Australian opal is associated with the crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head. The crown chakra is considered the center of consciousness, sPirituality and higher knowledge. Using Australian opal in meditation or energy healing practices can help stimulate this chakra and foster a deeper connection with one’s inner sPirituality and inner wisdom. It is also known to be useful for fostering communication and self-confidence, working with the throat chakra and solar plexus chakra.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH AUSTRALIAN OPAL?

Australian opal is associated with several zodiac signs, including Cancer, Libra, ScorPio and Pisces.

SUMMARY OF AUSTRALIAN OPAL STONE

Australian opal stone is a unique gem known for its beauty and brilliant colors. It is extracted from mines located mainly in southern Australia. Opal is made up of silica and water, which gives it its unique optical properties. There are several types of opal, each with its own unique appearance and properties. Black opals, for example, are the rarest and most prized. The opal stone is also associated with many beliefs and legends, notably in Australia, where it is considered a national symbol. Today, the Australian opal stone is a gem prized the world over for its beauty and rarity.

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