Opal- The Rainbow of Colors

The opal stone is said to be the “rainbow of colors” because of its ability to change its hues depending on how it’s held. This trait has made this gemstone popular for centuries, with many believing that an opal will bring them luck. 

The name opal derives from the Latin word ‘Opalus’ meaning “to see a change in color.” This stone displays different colors depending on the light it reflects, so it can appear to be many different colors at once. It is these properties which make opals so appealing and intriguing. When you first look into this beautiful stone, you may see flashes of blues, greens, pinks or reds – but then suddenly the entire crystal will turn into one uniform color! 

Opals come from a rock called silica which is rich in water molecules that form amorphous silicon dioxide. Read on to learn more about this precious gemstone’s metaphysical properties and delightful shades. 

The Different Colors of Opal

Opal is a beautiful gemstone that comes in many different colors and has been used for centuries to help with emotions, marriage, wealth and creativity. The most common colors are white or black but can also be shades of blue, green, pink or yellow. This incredible stone is the birthstone for October babies! 

The two types of opals – black-and-white or white-and-black varieties – share common traits such as being fragile gems with low hardness levels, so you should take proper care when wearing them. The gemstone can also be found as fire opal with orange-red hues. The Ethiopian opal stones with their reddish, yellow, or orange color are also fascinating. They are hydrophane stones that can absorb water.

The most popular type of opal is called common opal because it exhibits all the color flashes seen in other types but usually less intensely. 

The Mystical Properties of Opal

Opal is a gemstone that has been revered for centuries and it’s no wonder why. The stone, which can take on many colors, is thought to bring good luck and fortune. With its natural beauty and variety of colors, opal does not disappoint! 

Opals are a truly unique gemstone. They have been known for their mystical powers and ability to bring good fortune, love, happiness, and peace. They have an ancient history dating back to the Roman Empire where they were worn by soldiers as talismans against evil spirits. 

The Romans believed that opal could give its wearer courage and wisdom, ward off bad dreams, promote fidelity in marriage or love affairs, protect from envy and jealousy of others’ wealth or status; it was thought that opal would bring success in all ventures if one wore it when undertaking those ventures. 

Besides being beautiful and unique, you can also wear opal gemstone to promote good luck and protect against negative energy. There is still much mystery surrounding the power of this stone today with some people believing that wearing an opal can even cure depression!

The Diffraction of Light in Opals

Light is a fascinating phenomenon. It can be seen as waves of electromagnetic radiation or particles called photons. When light encounters objects, it either bounces off them or gets absorbed by the object. This process is known as reflection and absorption respectively. The color of an object determines which wavelengths are reflected and which ones get absorbed. 

Every time a photon interacts with an atom in the surface of an opal stone, some light will scatter outwards from it in all directions depending on what angle it hit at and how hard it was traveling before hitting the surface. 

Opals have this property because they contain many microscopic silica spheres that reflect different colors based on their orientation to incoming light waves; this creates a diffraction effect when observed from any angle other than head

How Do Opal Appear Under Different Lights?

Opal is a type of quartz that occurs in milky, metallic, or mixed colors. It is often called “Nile Stone” because it was prized by ancient Egyptians who mined it from deposits near the Nile River. The name opal comes from the Latin word for “to see through” which refers to its property of showing an inner glow without external light. 

Opals can be solid or semitransparent with their natural matrix sometimes visible on one side. They are among the most colorful gemstones due to their mineral composition, which includes up to twenty percent water content that brings out their colors when seen under different lights. 

Choosing the Right Opal Color

The type of opal stone you choose will depend on your preference for one or more of these colors. White opals have a clear background with flashes from the other two colors that can be seen as they dance across the stone’s surface. 

Black opals have a dark background which allows flashes from either the white or mixed color to be seen as they move across its surface. Mixed color stones combine both black and white in various proportions so both colors may be visible at once depending on how light hits the gemstone.

Determining the Opal Clarity

Every opal is different. They range from cloudy to opaque, with many variations in between. Opal clarity refers to the degree of visibility through an opal gemstone. The most sought-after colorless or white opals are dichroic, meaning they can display different colors depending on what angle you view them at. 

Some people like the play of color that occurs within a stone, and they find it fascinating, while others prefer a more uniform look and would rather have a clear stone. 

What About the Origin?

The gemstone was first discovered in Australia by Europeans during the 18th century but it has been found all over the world since then. Ethiopia is another major producer of this gemstone, and stones mined here are also called Welo opals.  

The gemstones are mined from the ground or ocean floor. They are then cut into stones by hand with an impressive level of precision achieved through cutting machines. 

If you’re looking for a lucky charm this year, look no further than the rainbow you’ll find in opal at GemPundit. The reputed stores offer a free certificate from an authorized lab to prove the authenticity and clarity grading of the stone.