So, once again the Great Architect has allowed me to see the beginnings of another day. And, has graced me with that wonderful substance that helps me to get the old juices flowing, that wonder drug, that elixir of life, known as coffee. Life really is good! Or at least it beats the heck out of the alternative.
After using up seven of my nine lives and several weeks of recovery, this old fart is finally starting to feel like a human being again.
So what are we going to talk about this morning?
I’ve got it lets discuss Opals.
Opal is the official birthstone for October. Metaphysically opal symbolizes purity and hope. It has been regarded as a protective stone, as it keeps the wearer from harm. Opal is a great gift for your loved ones born this month.
Opal is one of the most beautiful gemstone in the world. There is always so much more than meets the eye for opals. They have an amazing display of colors with mesmerizing patterns. They look beautiful on earrings, pendants, rings, brooch, watches and on so many different settings. Opals are definitely unique, but have you ever wanted to know what they’re all about? Or have you ever wondered where opal is found, how opal is formed, the history of opals, the amazing metaphysical benefits, royal ties, birthstone facts and so much more?
Here are some interesting facts.
The beautiful opal is formed from rain. There is some conjecture on how exactly this precious gemstone forms, but many believe it is formed when water from rain seeps down into crevasses in the rock. Once the water evaporates, the silica that is left behind dries out and hardens into precious opal.
Opallios is the Greek word for Opals meaning to see a change of color. The Roman word for Opal is Opalus meaning precious stone. The ancient Greeks believed that opals were formed from the tears of joy wept by Zeus when he defeated the titans, and that the opal bestowed prophetic powers.
The ancient Romans considered it a symbol of hope and good fortune. A roman scholar in 75AD summed up our beautiful opal saying: “Some opal carry such a play within them that they equal the deepest and richest colors of painters. Others…simulate the flaming fire of burning sulphur and even the bright blaze of burning oil.” He marveled that this kaleidoscopic gem encompassed the red of ruby, the green of emerald, the yellow of topaz, the blue of sapphire, and the purple of amethyst.” This is why Opal is commonly called the Queen of Gemstones.
Australia produces around 95% of the world’s opals. The majority of this Opal is white Opal from the fields of Coober Pedy in South Australia.
Australian native Aborigines tell us that opal is our creator’s footprint that touched the Earth at the base of a rainbow to bring harmony. But they are also found in many other countries such as Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Ethiopia, and the USA.
Opal is a Lucky gemstone. Most civilizations see opal as a lucky stone. There have been some exceptions to this including an English writer in the 1800’s and other gemstone marketers who say Opal is bad luck in their marketing. Maybe they realized opal is the best gemstone on earth and had to discredit it! But this campaign has failed and now Opal is even considered a talisman in some countries and a status symbol to own in others.
Queen Victoria’s favorite gemstone was Opal! She had Sapphires, Rubies and Diamonds from all over the British Empire but fell in love with the intoxicating colors of Opals.
The play of color you see in Opal is due to millions of tiny silica Spheres of different sizes. These spheres refract light and cause the beautiful spectral colors you see in an opal. The spheres have to be just the right size and of a uniform nature to create enough color for our eyes to see.
The next time someone asks you why your Opal is so special you can rattle off a few of these amazing facts about Opals.
I personally have well over a hundred cut and polished in my collection and never cease to enjoy looking at the wonderful play of color in them. But they are a very difficult stone to cut and polish. They are extremely “heat” sensitive and due to the fact that they are a very “soft” stone you must be extremely careful with the pressure you use in the cutting and polishing process.
Well I guess that about covers it for today.
Again I apologize for missing posting on a regular basis these past couple of weeks.
I hope you all have a wonderful day and may the Great Architect of the Universe keep you safe and watch over you as you travel down your path of life.
Comentários