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| 20th Century Opal and Diamond "Lucky" Horseshoe Brooch |
Happy Birthday to all that share this month, you enviably have two birthstones!
Since there is much information to cover on each birthstone, I will discuss each gemstone in separate posts. Each are deserving of their own turn in the spotlight. Since Opal is the hot gemstone of the moment, I am starting with it.
When I was a child, I had a beautiful Opal pendant. Although I cannot remember the details of its setting and accompanying stones, what I do remember is the rumored tale of the unlucky Opal, along with the delicate nature of the stone. The unlucky tale bewildered me, this curse of the unlucky and delicately fragile Opal which I completely swore off, and I'm not the only one. So how did Opals gain a bad reputation with such diverse and beautiful features?
Opal's "unlucky" rumors originated from careless readings of Sir Walter Scott's 1880 novel entitled Anne of Geierstien, in which the main character, Lady Hermione, wears an enchanted Opal in her hair. Hermione's Opal had beautiful shining spectral colors when she was happy, and burned bright with fiery red flashes when angry. As the story goes, the spell was broken when the Opal was sprinkled with holy water. Not only did the gemstone lose both its fire and shine, Hermione fell ill and the stone turned to ash!
It is unfortunate many jewelry collectors have shared these unlucky fears through false information. Having fallen out of favor during the 18th century, Opals have simply not been given the credit they deserve. Luckily for us, Opals are rising in popularity once again. Opals are experiencing a hay day as one of the hottest colored gemstones in fine and fashion jewelry. They are currently within the glossy pages of all your favorite magazines.
Opals are everywhere due to their skyrocketing exposure, and we all know what makes them unique to each of us. But throughout history, Opals were regarded as the luckiest and most magical of all gemstones because of their wonderful play-of-color and ability to encompass the colors of every gemstone. Play-of-color occurs in Opals due to the gems' sub-microscopic spheres that stack in grid-like pattern, and as light-waves travel in between these spheres, waves diffract and bend light into gorgeous flashes of rainbow color. Many cultures have credited Opal with supernatural origins and powers; Opals have also been compared to fireworks, volcanoes, and far away galaxies.
Opal occurs in many distinct varieties with varying body colors such as Fire Opal, Boulder Opal, Harlequin Opal, Mexican Opal, Ethiopian Opal, Black and White Opals (to name just a few). Literally there is an Opal for everyone. Opals, with the proper care, can last lifetimes for you to wear, admire, and pass on to your loved ones along with their symbolizing hope of power and luck.
I heard a rumor, you may have a beautiful Opal in your future...
Enjoy your birthstone. May it bring you all of these qualities and more.
