A Little Opal History

The gemstone Opal is the official October birthstone as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra.

Boulder opal is found in Australia where precious opal forms in veins and patches within brown ironstone boulders. When the opal is mixed through the ironstone it is called matrix opal.  Boulder opal is very durable due to the ironstone backing the opal forms on.   Because water content within the opal is very low it almost never cracks or crazes as it ages.

It is no wonder why early cultures from around the world have attributed magical properties to the opal. The mysterious patches of color that appear and disappear with every movement give opals a life of their own. Opals have been collected for thousands of years. The oldest opal artifact, estimated to have been collected at around 4000 B.C., was found in a cave in Kenya.

Opals were one of the most highly prized gemstones to the Greeks and Romans. Early Greeks believed opals were the source of prophetic powers. As the Roman Empire grew, so did the demand for opals. A Roman Senator, Nonius, chose to be exiled rather than give his valuable opal to Marc Antony who wanted to give it to Cleopatra. A legend tells of a Roman Emperor who offered to trade one-third of his kingdom for a single opal. Opals have often found their way into the jewelry and crowns of royalty. Queen Victoria adored opals and kept a fine collection.

Opals are also said to aid inner beauty, faithfulness, and eyesight and helps recall past lives.