Properties
Mineral group: Quartz
Chemistry: SiO2+H2O
Color: Black, white, colourless, red, yellow, bluish
Crystal system: Amorphous
Mohs Scale hardness: 5 to 6.5
Refractive index: 1,37-1,52
Birefringence: Ingen
Specific gravity: 1,98-2,25
Information
Possibilities for Confusion
Ammonite, labradorite and moonstone. Also garnet and rhodochrosite (Fire Opal).
Treatments
Several treatments occur, the latest we seen is smoke enhancement of Ethiopian Opal wich make the White/Light brown colour to become dark brown/black and with that look more alike a so called Black Opal wich can have higher value.
Instruments for ID
Deposits
Australia, Brazil and Ethiopia have significant deposits.
Miscellaneous
Before the discovery of the Australien deposits at the end of the 19th century, the andesite lavas in east Slovakia supplied the best quality.
Opal is one of the world of gemstones most appreciated gem. Opal is divided into 3 sub-groups; Precious Opal, Fire Opal and Common Opal. By definition Opal is a sub-group to Quartz but with amorph crystal structure.
Varieties/Types
Read/learn more about Opal by klick link on respective kind (klick return button in your browser when you want to go back to Riddgem).
Opal in Healing (Source: ChatGPT)
Opal is a powerful and versatile crystal associated with creativity, emotional healing and spiritual transformation. Its shimmering play of colors reflects its ability to highlight hidden talents, amplify emotions and support personal growth. Each type of opal has unique properties, but common to all is their ability to stimulate intuition and bring joy and inspiration.
1. Mental Properties
- Promotes creativity: Strengthens imagination and helps the user think outside the box.
- Strengthens self-expression: Encourages authentic and free expression.
- Strengthens concentration: Helps focus and gain clarity in thoughts and ideas.
2. Emotional Properties
- Supports emotional healing: Helps process old wounds and promotes emotional balance.
- Strengthens positive emotions: Brings joy, optimism and hope into everyday life.
- Helps release fears: Supports the release of anxiety and emotional blockages.
3. Spiritual Properties
- Stimulates Intuition: Improves the ability to listen to one's inner voice and trust one's intuition.
- Strengthens the connection to the divine: Promotes spiritual growth and awareness of higher energies.
- Enhances energy flow: Stimulates the body's energy centers and creates balance in the aura.
4. Physical Properties
- Supports regeneration: Believed to help the body recover and restore balance.
- Relieves stress: Helps the body relax and manage tension.
- Promotes vitality: Associated with strengthening life energy and promoting health.
5. Chakras and energy flow
- All chakras: Opal's diversity makes it useful for balancing and activating different chakras.
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): For spiritual enlightenment and contact with higher levels of consciousness.
- Heart Chakra (Anahata): For emotional healing and opening up to love.
6. Combined use with other stones
- Amethyst: To enhance intuition and spiritual clarity.
- Rose quartz: For emotional balance and self-acceptance.
- Clear quartz: To enhance the energies and intentions of opal.
7. Areas of use
Meditation: Use to deepen meditation and connect with your inner self.
Jewelry: Wear opal close to the skin to benefit from its healing energies daily.
Healing work: Place on specific chakras or areas of the body to support healing and balance.
Summary
Opal is a crystal filled with light and inspiration. Its energy helps to create a bridge between emotions, spirituality and creativity. It is a reminder to embrace change, grow as an individual and find joy in the play of colors in life.
As with all crystals, the healing properties of Opal are based on spiritual and symbolic belief rather than scientific fact. However, many experience positive effects through its use in intentional and holistic practices.
