Opal

Keywords: Healing ~ Balancing
Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
Zodiac: Taurus
Chakra: *All*
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Locations Found: Australia, Ethiopia, Peru, United States
Tarot Card: Temperance

Metaphysical & Spiritual Properties

Opal is a stone of emotional healing and spiritual awakening. Precious Opals bring the full spectrum of Light to the energy field, clearing and soothing your being. Opal is believed to enhance intuition, creativity, and imagination, and to promote a sense of joy and emotional balance. It is a stone of love and passion.  In general, all types of opal are a balm for the soul and bring balance to your energetic system.

History & Folklore

In ancient Rome, Opal was considered a symbol of hope and purity, while in ancient Greece it was believed to grant foresight and prophecy. The national gemstone of Australia, the indigenous people there regard Opal as a sacred stone that connects them to their ancestors and the Dreamtime.

In the Middle Ages, Opal was believed to be a stone of good luck, and it was often worn by knights going into battle. However, Opal’s reputation changed during the 19th century when a novel called “Anne of Geierstein” portrayed the gemstone as a symbol of bad luck. As a result, the demand for Opal plummeted, and it took many years for its reputation to recover.

Geological Information

Opal is amorphous, meaning it has no crystal structure, and considered a mineraloid rather than a mineral. It is a hydrated silica material composed of submicroscopic silica spheres that are bonded together with water and additional silica, containing 5-20% water. The fire or flash of Opal is the reflection of scattering light through the silica spheres, their various size and pattern are responsible for the different colors. They formed millions of years ago when their liquid state flowed into cracks in the earth and solidified.

There are three types of Opals, “Precious Opal” which produces flashy iridescent colors, being the rarest and most limited of them. “Common Opal” or “Potch” do not display flashy color and have a milky or pearly luster. The third type of opal is “Fire Opal” commonly found in Mexico having a body color of vivid red, orange or yellow.

Since Opals contain water, it is important to not leave them in the sun as they will crack from dehydration. They are also porous and should not be left in liquid other than water. It is good to immerse your Opal in water for a few hours from time to time.

Works Well With...

Opal works well with other stones that promote emotional healing and spiritual growth, such as Amethyst and Rose Quartz. It can also be combined with grounding stones like Black Tourmaline and Hematite to help balance its ethereal energy.

Varieties of Opal

Blue Opal at DreamingGoddess.com

Blue Opal

Considered the National Stone of the Andes Mountains, this stone is also referred to as Andean Opal or Peruvian Opal. Blue Opal is typically blue or greenish blue, and commonly features brown or black dendrite inclusions. They range from translucent to milky in appearance. Blue Opal is sometimes found growing with Chrysocolla.

Blue Opal is believed to enhance communication and stimulate creativity. It can promote calm and soothe the nerves,  reducing anxiety or stress. Blue Opal is believed to enhance intuition and psychic abilities, as well as encourage spiritual growth and emotional healing. Use blue opal to quiet the mind, before sleep, and in your relaxation or meditation practices. Work with this stone to approach the future with tranquility.

Raw Dendritic Opal at DreamingGoddess.com

Dendritic Opal

Dendritic Opal is a form of common opal that is characterized by its unique and intricate dendritic patterns. These patterns are formed by the infiltration of manganese, iron, or other minerals into the opal, resulting in the formation of fern-like or tree-like patterns. Dendritic Opal is believed to have a strong connection to nature, and it is often used by those who wish to connect with the natural world and its energies. Know to promotes growth, both physically and spiritually, and can provide help when needed in entering relationships and group dynamics, allowing you to remain open and approachable in spite of bad experiences.

Fire Opal at DreamingGoddess.com

Fire Opal

Fire Opal is a variety of Opal that gets its distinctive fiery colors from the presence of iron oxide and other minerals. It is formed in fissures and cavities of volcanic rock and is typically found in regions with a history of volcanic activity. It is a stone of passion, creativity, and vitality. It is said to stimulate the Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras, helping to enhance one’s personal power and confidence. It is also believed to promote a sense of inner joy and enthusiasm and can be helpful in overcoming feelings of anxiety or depression.

Green Opal Tumbled at DreamingGoddess.com

Green Opal

Green Opal gets its color from various trace elements, such as nickel, and the internal structures of the crystal. It’s a stone of emotional healing and renewal. It is believed to help release past traumas and emotional baggage, promoting forgiveness, compassion, and empathy. Green Opal can enhance creativity, intuition, and spiritual awareness, making it a popular stone among healers, artists, and spiritual seekers. It is associated with the Heart and Solar Plexus chakras, helping to balance and harmonize these energy centers. Green Opal is also believed to attract abundance and prosperity, as well as promote physical healing and well-being.

Pink Opal

The pink color of Pink Opal is due to the presence of microscopic inclusions of the mineral moganite, which is a polymorph of quartz. These inclusions scatter and diffract light, giving the stone its characteristic pink hue. The amount and distribution of moganite inclusions can affect the intensity and saturation of the pink color. Pink Opal is known to resolve and release painful remembrances, especially while used during past-life regression.  It can bring peace and a sense of release to the heart, particularly when dealing with past emotional trauma.  It can help to relieve anxiety and fear, helping to clear the heart so it may be more centered. Pink Opal opens and clears the path to the angelic realm and the world of dreams. It is an excellent stone for children with nightmares.

Purple Opal

Found in shades from light lavender to deep plum, Purple Opals coloration is the result of the presence of manganese and iron. Purple Opal, also known as Violet Flame Opal, helps activate focus and awareness to the crown and third eye chakras. It cleanses and purifies the etheric body and cellular matrix, bringing deep harmony. It helps soothe the emotional body, connecting it with spiritual energies to transmute feelings of fear into courage, and anger into love. Purple Opal stimulates spiritual awareness and helps to connect with guardian angels. It can help with intuition and insight, allowing you to connect with your higher self and gain a deeper understanding of your life and purpose.

Photos of Opal

Opalite Moon Phase Towers at DreamingGoddess.com
Pink Opalite Heart at DreamingGoddess.com
Ethiopian Opal Pendant at DreamingGoddess.com
Dendritic Opal Free Form at DreamingGoddess.com
Black Opal Palm Stones at DreamingGoddess.com
Dendritic Opal Tower at DreamingGoddess.com
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