10/01/2026
October— Opal
Things to know and fun facts:
The word opal originate from several sources: ancient Sanskrit called Opals “upala” meaning ‘precious stone’; while the Greeks used the word “opallios” meaning ‘to see change in color’. The Roman scholar Pliny used the word opalus when he wrote about the gemstones kaleidoscopic “play” of rainbow colors that could simulate shades of any stone. Opals have extraterrestrial origins. Found on Mars by NASA, opals are one of the rare gemstones found outside of earth. Opals are classified as mineraloids rather than true crystals because their infrastructure lacks a regular geometric pattern. The magical shifting rainbow colors are a result of tiny microscopic silica, trapped inside the stone. This bends the light to create flashes of different rainbow colors much like a prism. Opals also contain between 3% — 21% water.
Color- only several variations exist such as Fire Opals and Boulder Opals. Often referred to by their background color of white or black.
Top Sources- Australia produces 95% of all Opals specifically from the Lightning Ridge, Ethiopia, Mexico (Fire Opals), Brazil, and USA
Durability- Ranks a 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness; softer than most gems; easily scratches, crazes, and cracks; not recommended for daily wear. Opals are best suited for earrings, pendants, or special occasion rings.
Care- Clean your stone with warm soapy water, and a soft cloth if needed. NO Ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or harsh chemicals. The stone is vulnerable to thermal shock, dehydration. No direct sunlight.
Cultural Significance- Ancient cultures viewed the opal as a symbol of hope, innocence, and truth. It is believed to inspire creativity, imagination, and originality. The Romans treasured opals as a symbol of great fortune. Ancient Greeks believed opals formed from Zeus‘s joyful tears after his victory over the Titans. Arabic legends said the kaleidoscopic stones came from lightning and would fall from the heavens when there were thunderstorms. Indigenous Australians believed opals were a divine gift from the creator and used in various rituals. Given as a 14th wedding anniversary gi
