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What Is Opal Stone? Complete Guide to Meaning, Origins, History, Benefits, Identification Tips, Uses & Price

Opal is one of the most beautiful and magical gemstones in the world. People admire it because of its special colors that shine and change when light touches it. This colorful effect makes Opal different from other stones. It is often called the “Queen of Gems” because of its rare beauty and charm. No two Opals look the same, which is why every piece feels unique and special.

This stone is not only pretty to look at but also has many deep meanings. In astrology, Opal is linked with the planet Venus, which is known for love, beauty and luxury. Because of this, people believe that wearing Opal can bring happiness in relationships, wealth, creativity and inspiration. Many also wear it for healing, as it is said to calm the mind, balance emotions and spread positive energy.

Opal is also very popular in jewelry. Its shining colors look amazing in rings, pendants, earrings and many other designs. Collectors and jewelry lovers across the world admire it. Whether someone wears it for fashion, spiritual growth or astrological reasons, Opal always holds a special place in their heart.

What is Opal Gemstone?

Opal is a semi-precious gemstone that looks very special because of its shining “play-of-color.” This means that when you move the stone under light, it shows many colors and patterns, almost like a rainbow trapped inside the gem. This magical effect makes every single Opal different, which is why people find it so charming and valuable.

From a scientific view, Opal is made of silica mixed with water (SiO₂·nH₂O). The amount of water in an Opal is usually between 6% and 10%, but sometimes it can be as little as 3% or as much as 21%. Unlike many other stones, Opal does not have a crystal shape. Because of this, it is called a mineraloid instead of a true mineral. Opals are mostly formed at low temperatures and can be found inside cracks of rocks like sandstone, basalt, rhyolite, marl and limonite. The name “Opal” has a very old history. It is said to come from the Sanskrit word “Upala” (उपल), which means “jewel.” Later, it became the Greek word “Opállios” (ὀπάλλιος). This shows how long people have loved and admired this gemstone.

Even though today Opal is praised for its beauty and positive energy, there was a time when people thought badly about it. In 1829, a novel called Anne of Geierstein by Sir Walter Scott described Opal as unlucky and connected it with dark powers. Because of this story, people started fearing the stone and its demand fell sharply, even lowering its price by about 50%. But over time, those superstitions faded away and Opal once again became famous for its elegance, mystery and colorful beauty.

Opal Meaning

Opal is known as a stone of inspiration and change. People believe it stands for creativity, emotional healing, hope and bringing positive changes in life. Since ancient times, Opal has been seen as a special gift from nature, thought to show hidden truths, protect the person who wears it and give light during difficult times.

The magical colors of Opal match its meaning very well. The way its shades keep changing is said to reflect imagination, uniqueness and the many different emotions a person carries within. This is why Opal is often linked with self-expression, creativity and inner growth.

Astrological Benefits of Wearing an Opal Stone

The word Opal comes from the Latin word Opalus, which means “precious stone” In astrology, Opal is highly valued because it is believed to bring out the hidden talents and positive qualities of a person. People say Opal has the power to absorb your emotions, thoughts and wishes. It takes in your feelings and reflects them back, reducing negativity and spreading positivity. This is why it is often called a gemstone of change and spiritual growth.

Wearing an Opal is said to make Venus (Shukra) stronger in your horoscope. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, comfort and relationships. When Venus is strong, a person can enjoy more happiness in love, luxury, creativity and emotional balance. Many people also believe that Opal brings harmony in both personal and professional life. Though it is the modern and traditional birthstone for people born in October, astrologers also suggest it for others depending on their stars and planetary positions.

Opal Crystal Benefits

Opal is often seen as a crystal of hope, optimism and spiritual connection. It inspires people to express themselves, stay balanced and let go of fear. Some even believe that Opal can mirror a person’s true emotions, making it a stone of honesty and self-awareness.

Key benefits of Opal crystal include:

  • Brings optimism and spiritual awareness
  • Improves personal and professional relationships
  • Balances emotions and heals past struggles
  • Encourages creativity and self-expression

Healing Properties of Opal Stone

Along with its astrological powers, Opal is also believed to have many healing benefits. It is said to support both physical and mental health, making it a well-rounded stone for overall well-being.

Health benefits of wearing Opal include:

  • Purifies blood and improves immunity
  • Helps with water retention and insulin production
  • Balances hormones and supports the endocrine system
  • Protects the female reproductive organs
  • Strengthens skin, nails, hair and eyes
  • Improves memory, focus and nervous system stability
  • Reduces migraines, headaches and menopause symptoms

White Opal Stone Benefits (Emotional & Spiritual)

White Opal is especially known for its calming and spiritual effects. It is believed to bring beauty, love and prosperity into a person’s life. People who face emotional pain or struggles in relationships often turn to White Opal for comfort and strength.

Benefits of White Opal include:

  • Brings inner peace and emotional balance
  • Encourages creativity, optimism and confidence
  • Helps in releasing stress, trauma and painful memories
  • Boosts energy levels and metabolism
  • Improves decision-making and intuition
  • Enhances spiritual awareness and foresight

Opal Stone Benefits for Libra (Tula Rashi)

Opal is the birthstone for Libra (23rd September – 22nd October) and is closely connected to Venus. For Libras, Opal is believed to bring balance, harmony and comfort. It also connects to the crown chakra (Sahasrara), which helps in spiritual growth and universal awareness.

Benefits of Opal for Libras include:

  • Creates harmony in relationships and teamwork
  • Heals emotional pain from the past
  • Supports growth in travel, tourism and creative work
  • Helps in clearing debts and solving legal issues
  • Boosts creativity, self-confidence and artistic talent
  • Provides peace of mind and emotional stability

Among all varieties, Fire Opal (shades of orange to red) is considered most powerful for Libras. It is said to bring strength, loyalty, energy and endurance while also enhancing their natural sense of balance and fairness.

Opal for Love, Marriage & Relationships

Opal is one of the best gemstones for love and marriage because it strengthens Venus in the horoscope. It brings romance, stability and better understanding between couples. Many people believe that couples wearing Opal feel more intimacy, trust and emotional connection in their relationship.

Benefits of Opal for love and marriage:

  • Brings stability and love in troubled marriages
  • Improves intimacy and attraction between partners
  • Builds trust and deep emotional bonding
  • Encourages forgiveness and moving forward after conflicts

Identification Tips: How to Identify Original Opal Stone

Opal is a very popular gemstone, which is why the market also has many fake versions like imitations, doublets, triplets and lab-made stones. If you want to buy a genuine Opal, it is important to know how to tell the difference. A real Opal shows natural play-of-color, uneven but beautiful patterns and a solid single structure that cannot be copied perfectly by artificial methods.

Here are some simple ways to identify an original Opal:

1. Visual Inspection

  • Play of Color: A natural Opal shows changing and lively flashes of color when moved under light. The colors should not look flat, painted or the same everywhere, like glass or plastic.
  • Body Tone: Real Opals have a clear base color such as white, black or blue, which acts like a background for the color flashes.
  • Pattern: Genuine Opals have unique, uneven and natural patterns. Fake or synthetic Opals often show perfect, repeated patterns that look too uniform.
  • Structure: Look at the stone from the side. A real Opal is one solid piece, while doublets and triplets will clearly show glued layers of material.

2. Touch and Feel

  • Temperature: Natural Opals feel cool when touched and slowly get warm in your hand. Fake ones made of plastic or resin feel warm and light right away.
  • Surface Texture: Real Opals have a smooth, slightly waxy surface. If the stone feels too shiny, glassy or rough, it is probably not genuine.

3. Hardness Test

  • Mohs Scale: Natural Opals rank between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
  • Scratch Test: A real Opal should not scratch easily when rubbed on glass or with a steel nail. If it scratches too quickly, it may be fake or very poor quality.

4. Other Helpful Tests

  • Water Test: Real Opals usually do not change when kept in water. Fake or synthetic stones may absorb water or look different after soaking.
  • Magnification: When checked with a magnifying glass, genuine Opals often show small cracks, natural marks or tiny inclusions. Fake stones usually look too clean and perfect.
  • Weight: Because of the natural water content, original Opals feel heavier than they look. Fake plastic Opals will feel very light.

How to Use & Wear Opal Stone

Opal is not only admired for its shining beauty but is also seen as a powerful stone in astrology. To get its full benefits, it should be worn correctly with the right rituals, metal and care.

Best Jewelry Forms for Opal

Opal looks wonderful when used in jewelry. Depending on your choice and astrological advice, it can be worn in different forms:

Opal Rings: The most recommended way in astrology. Wearing an Opal ring allows the stone to touch the skin directly, helping its energy flow into the body.

Opal Pendants: A graceful option that keeps Opal close to the heart, bringing emotional peace and harmony.

Opal Bracelets: Stylish and effective for those who want to combine beauty with healing benefits.

Correct Metal for Opal

Traditionally, Opal is set in silver, gold or platinum. In Vedic astrology, silver is considered the best as it strengthens Venus. However, gold and platinum are also used, especially for luxury jewelry. The right choice of metal is best decided with the help of an astrologer.

Who Should Wear Opal Stone?

Curious about who can wear Opal gemstone and whether its the right choice for you? This section explains ideal candidates for wearing opal, based on astrology and personal needs.

Opal gemstone is ideal for those who are ruled by the planet Venus (Shukra) in their horoscope. Astrologers often recommend this gem to people facing problems in love life, marriage, luxury or creativity. Since it is the opal birthstone for month of October, individuals born in this month are especially advised to wear Opal gemstone to enhance positivity and attract good fortune. Opals are good for people looking for emotional stability and charm.

Professionals in the fields of art, fashion, music, acting and designing can benefit from natural opal gemstones, as it is believed to enhance imagination, charm and expression. It also suits people who seek peace of mind, emotional balance and stability in relationships. If you are dealing with emotional stress or facing difficulties in married life, wearing white opal can help restore harmony and love.

Whether chosen for astrology or beauty opal gemstone brings powerful Venus energy, making it suitable for anyone wishing to invite luxury, elegance and creativity into their life. Choosing original and certified opal pathar ensures maximum astrological benefit.

Vedic astrology’s detailed analysis as per horoscope ascendance and birth chart are available here at : +91-91250-34444

How to Wear Original Opal?

Wearing opal gemstone in correct way helps activate its full astrological benefits. If you are wondering how to wear this powerful stone, here’s a complete guide to ensure you do it right way, especially if you are using it for astrological benefits.

Weight: Ideal weight of this stone is typically calculated as 1/10th of your body weight in kilograms. So, for someone weighing 60 kg, a 6 carat natural opal is considered suitable.

Colour: Always choose a white opal or milky opal that has bright play of colour and visible fire. The more vibrant the colors, the more effective the gemstone is believed to be.

Metal: For best results, wear Opal set in silver or platinum. You may also use white gold or panchdhatu depending on personal preference and budget. Opal rings set in these metals look elegant and are astrologically effective.

Finger: Wear opal ring on ring finger of your dominant (working) hand (right for right-handed people, left for left-handed).

Day & Time: Ideal time to wear opal pathar is on friday morning, between 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, during shukla paksha (the waxing phase of the moon).

Mantra: To energize opal, chant the Venus (Shukra) mantra “Om Shum Shukraaye Namah” 108 times before wearing the ring. This helps align the gem’s energy with your aura.

Price of Opal Stone

Opal stone price in India can vary widely depending on type, origin and visual beauty of the gemstone. On average original opal price starts from around INR 1,000 to INR 10,000 per carat or more. Factors like fire (color play), clarity, shape and size directly affect the value.

Among all varieties, Australian Fire Opal is considered finest and most valuable. Its price usually ranges between INR 1,500 and INR 12,000 per carat, depending on brightness and size. Some of these are known as the most expensive opal gemstone options in the market.

White Opals are more affordable, Price starting from NR 300 per carat, making them popular choice for beginners.

Ethiopian Opal, known for its unique clarity and play of color, generally starting from Rs. 1,100 per carat and may reach Rs. 4,500 per carat.

Black Opal and Orange Fire Opals are rare and vibrant varieties, priced between INR 900 and INR 6,000 per carat.

Pink Opal is among the most budget-friendly options, usually available between ₹250 to ₹500 per carat.

Factors Affecting Opal Stone Price & Quality

The price of opal gemstone is determined by combination of several factors, especially in the case of precious opals. Buyers often look for bright color play, transparency, shape and origin to decide the value of stone. Here are main quality factors that impact cost of opals:

  • Origin: Australian opals are most valuable due to their vibrant fire and long-lasting beauty. Ethiopian and Mexican opals follow closely behind in popularity and price. Opals are found in these countries is usually considered premium.
  • Color: White opals with a strong play of color are widely desired for astrological use. However, darker tones like black or blue can also command high prices when they show vivid fire.
  • Clarity: Clean opals with fewer visible inclusions like sand, webbing or dead spots are considered more premium. Crystal opals are valued for their transparency, while opaque clarity suits white and black opals.
  • Brightness of Fire: The more intense and bright the fire within the opal, the higher its value. Dull or uneven fire lowers overall opal price.
  • Fire Pattern: Broad and brilliant colour flashes are rare and expensive. Patterns like pinfire are more common and usually more affordable.
  • Shape: Opals are often cut into dome-shaped cabochons. Stones with a balanced dome show fire better and are more durable in jewellery, especially in rings and pendants.

Understanding these factors helps buyers make smart decisions when comparing opal prices and ensures they invest in a gemstone that’s both beautiful and astrologically effective.

NOTE : Prices may vary according to the scope of availability of the rough in nature and market as well as Government Policies.

Clean and Care Guidelines for Opal Stone

Opal gemstone is delicate and needs gentle care to maintain its natural beauty. To clean your opal crystal, use a soft cloth and mild soapy water avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners or steam. Always remove your white opal or opal pathar before swimming, bathing or doing heavy work. Opal it separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratches. With regular care, your natural opal stone will stay vibrant and full of life for years.

History & Sources of Opal Stone

Opal has always been seen as a rare and precious gemstone. Long ago, it was highly valued in Europe and often worn by kings and queens. Before large Australian deposits were discovered in the 19th century, the main source of Opal was in Červenica, a region beyond the Roman border in Slovakia. Today, Opal is celebrated as the national gemstone of Australia.

Major Sources of Opal

Opal is mined in several countries, but Australia and Ethiopia are the main producers. It is difficult to know exact numbers, but Australian Opals are believed to make up about 95–97% of the world’s supply of precious Opal. South Australia alone contributes around 80% of that. Ethiopian Opals, especially from the Wollo Province, have also become very important in the gem market.

Opal in Australia

Australia is famous for producing some of the finest Opals in the world:

  • Coober Pedy, South Australia: Known for high-quality Opals. The largest Opal ever found, called the Olympic Australis, was discovered here in 1956. It weighs 17,000 carats and is over 11 inches long.
  • Mintabie Opal Field, South Australia: Famous for crystal and black Opals that are exported worldwide.
  • Andamooka, South Australia: Produces matrix Opals, crystal Opals and black Opals.
  • Lightning Ridge, New South Wales: Best known for black Opals with dark backgrounds and bright color flashes.
  • Boulder Opal, Queensland: Found in ironstone near Yowah, Kynuna, Jundah and Quilpie, often showing unique patterns.

Australia also has opalized fossils, like dinosaur bones and ancient marine animals, making it a treasure for collectors.

Opal in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Opals were first found in 1994 in the Menz Gishe District, but they became popular worldwide after a discovery near Wegeltena, Wollo Province in 2008. These Opals look similar to Australian sedimentary Opals, with light backgrounds and bright flashes of color. Most Ethiopian Opals are formed from volcanic rocks and are now widely traded.

Opal in USA

In the United States, Virgin Valley, Nevada produces many types of precious Opals, including black, crystal, white, fire and lemon Opals. Famous mines include Rainbow Ridge, Royal Peacock, Bonanza and Opal Queen. The black fire Opal is the official state gemstone of Nevada. Many American Opals form partly from wood replacement and some Miocene-age fossils are also found in the area.

Opal in Mexico

Mexican Fire Opals are transparent to translucent stones in warm shades of yellow, orange or red. Some even show green flashes. They are mainly found in Querétaro and Jalisco. The Santa Maria del Iris mine, opened in 1870, is famous for producing high-quality Fire Opals. These Opals are used either in their natural host rock (called Cantera Opal) or cut into gems for jewelry.

Other Opal Sources

Other countries with Opal deposits include Brazil, Czech Republic, Canada, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Indonesia, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Interestingly, in 2008, NASA announced that Opal deposits were discovered on Mars, showing the stone’s cosmic importance.

Buyers Beware Guidelines for Opal Gemstone

Before buying opal gemstone, its important to be aware of certain key factors that can protect you from fake or treated stones. Due to rising demand for natural opal, the market is flooded with synthetic and lab enhanced versions that may look real but offer no astrological or long-term benefits.

Here’s what every buyer must keep in mind:

1. Check for Certification: Always ask for gemstone lab certificate that proves the gemstone is 100% natural and untreated. A genuine opal pathar will come with proper testing reports from authorised gem lab.

2. Beware of Synthetic Opals: Many sellers offer low-priced white opal or colorful stones that are artificially enhanced or completely synthetic. These stones may look attractive but have no spiritual or healing energy.

3. Look at Fire & Play of Color: Original opal gemstone has a unique play of colour effect. It shows rainbow like flashes when light hits surface. Fake stones often lack this natural brilliance or appear too uniform.

4. Avoid Very Low Prices: Genuine natural opal will never be extremely cheap. If opal price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always compare prices with reputed gemstone dealers before making decision.

5. Buy Only from Trusted Sources: To avoid getting scammed, purchase your opal gemstone only from trusted and reputed gemstone dealers who provide transparent details, certifications and return policies like Myratna. Especially when buying opal rings or jewelry, insist on natural, original gemstones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is opal stone?

Opal, often known to as “Queen of Gemstones” is a stunning semi-precious gem celebrated for its magical play of colour. A natural optical effect where vibrant flashes shift and dance as the gemstone moves. What sets natural opal apart is its composition. Its a hydrated form of silica, containing water content usually between 6% and 10% by weight. Unlike traditional crystalline minerals, opal gemstone is classified as a mineraloid because it lacks a fixed crystal structure. Its amorphous nature, combined with microscopic silica spheres creates the brilliant rainbow like colours that make each white opal unique. Found in the form of seams, veins or nodules within rock layers, this gem is both a geological wonder and a symbol of beauty, emotion and elegance.

2. What are the different types of opal gemstone?

There are several types of opal gemstones, including white opal, black opal, fire opal, crystal opal, matrix opal, mexican fire opal and boulder opal. Each type differs in color, clarity and origin, offering unique visual effects and metaphysical benefits.

3. What are the different colors of opal gemstone?

Opal gemstones come in a wide range of colors such as white, black, orange, blue, pink and green. The most popular type is white opal, known for its milky base and colorful fire. Each color has its own charm and symbolism. Opal found in darker shades is often rarer and more expensive.

4. What is the difference between Fire Opal vs Black Opal?

Fire opal usually has an orange to red body color with bright transparency and glow, while black opal has a dark base with vivid flashes of green, blue or red fire. Fire opals are more translucent, whereas black opals are rare and known for their intense color play. Black opals can sometimes be among the most expensive opal stones varieties.

5. In which finger should one wear Opal Gemstone?

Opal gemstone should be worn on the ring finger of the dominant hand (right hand for right-handed people and left for left-handed). Many prefer opal rings set in silver or white gold for both elegance and astrology.

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