Opals are stones with small crystalline spheres that refract light, displaying an impressive range of colors. The quality of opals is assessed through body tone, luster, and pattern. Opals have been prized for at least 6,000 years and have been linked to prophesy events and clarity of thought. Opals are mainly sourced from Australia and can range from less than 100 USD to up to 8,000 USD per carat.
Opals are stones with small crystalline spheres that appear to sparkle as they refract light. Precious opals are known for their “play of colours”. While 95% of the world’s opals do not display this handiwork, many value the precious varieties.
Opals exhibit an impressive range of colors. They can be milky white, pink, light green, and blue, gray or black. All precious opals are multicolored, and the greater the variety of colors, the greater the value of the stone.
The quality of opals is assessed through several different means. Since they are not clear gemstones, clarity matters less than with other stones. An important consideration is body tone, the primary ground color of the opal. Darker body tones fetch higher prices than light or white body tones.
Opal luster is classified as dull, dim, brilliant, or brilliant. The higher the degree to which colors are displayed brilliantly, the better the quality. The pattern of colors in the opal is also evaluated. The highest quality patterns are those in which the different colors are represented in equal proportions, called harlequin. Any flaws such as cracks, inconsistent colors, or breaks in the pattern can reduce an opal’s value. A crack can render a gem worthless, while pattern interruptions can simply lower the price.
Opal prices depend on overall quality. Trade stones may be less than 100 United States Dollars (USD). The highest value gems, black with red, in the highest quality classifications can be extremely expensive. A single carat can cost up to 8,000 USD.
Opals have been prized for at least 6,000 years. Louis Leakey found artifacts in Kenya dating to 4000 BC. C. Opals are valued by many cultures, and can be found in both the New World and the Old. Early deposits were probably mined in Egypt, but today’s opals are mainly sourced from Australia.
The ancient Greeks developed a lovely theory about the development of opals. They were said to have fallen from the sky during lightning strikes. Therefore, they were a byproduct of Zeus. Opals were linked with the ability to prophesy events, or at least to give the wearer some foresight.
The Romans believed that wearing these gems helped clear up emotional states and made wearers more spontaneous. Like the Greeks, the Romans also attributed clarity of thought and foresight to opal. European nations during the Middle Ages watered this down a bit, but felt that the gems had medicinal properties that would protect the eyes.
Negative connotations with opals began in the 18th century, when they were thought to be bad luck. However, Queen Victoria worked hard to defeat this “bad luck” theory when huge caches of opals were found in Australia. Today, some still feel that it is bad luck to buy an opal for yourself, but good luck if someone else gives it to you.
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