November's Topaz

Imperial Topaz - $29,000
Image via MS Rau Antiques



I realize that my blog hiatus interrupted the Birthstone parade and so I will catch up as I can without waiting until November and December. This will give you November and December babies time to plan ahead and drop plenty of hints!



Natural topaz color range
Museum of Natral History, Smithsonian Institute





Image via Between a Rock and a Hearty Place



Until recently, topaz shared its name with almost any yellowish stone. It was (and still is) often confused with citrine and for that reason the more saturated yellow and orange stones were called "precious topaz". We now know that topaz comes in a range of colors, from colorless to yellow to brown to pink and blue. The rich yellows to medium orange-peachy colors are still considered "precious topaz". The colorless and pale blue stones are the most commonly found natural topaz with the yellows, pinks, and the reddish topaz stones being much more rare. These more saturated stones are mined almost exclusively in Brazil. So let's delve into the world of topaz.

Image via Opal Auctions

 Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂ : aluminum, silicon, oxygen, flourine, hydrogen. That's our gal- Aluminum fluosilicate. In other words, a silicate mineral (think silicon = sand) with the elements aluminum and flourine. So simple, right? Oh I wish. Topaz forms from either a metamorphic process in which the original rock is subjected to high temperatures and pressure, thus changing the very physical or chemical make up of the rock, or by an igneous process. Igneous rocks are formed by the solidification of magma. Our topaz is generally associated with silica-rich magma that crystallizes in granite pegmatites. Pegmatites are intrusive rocks, usually granite, that cool late in the solidification process and generally have large crystals. That means there are some big honkin' topaz out there, with crystals/boulders ranging up to a few hundred pounds. In other words, topaz forms from the flourine bearing-vapors and magma during the last stages of solidification. So they are found not only in the intrusive pegmatites but also alluvial planes around old volcanic sites. Topaz is not smoky quartz. Confused? I'm sorry but I just love this natural history stuff. OK- let's move on before I loose ya.

The American Golden Topaz, an example of a big honkin' topaz.
Image via Epic Swag
House in the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian.

Yellow topaz is traditionally the birthstone for November while blue topaz is the stone for December. Topaz is most commonly an amber color. As mentioned, however, topaz can be found in a variety of colors depending upon various trace elements within the stone. For the sake of interest and variety, we will consider topaz in all of its hues in this post and for December we will look at its alternative birthstone, turquoise. But again, we won't wait until December for turquoise. If you weren't born in either of those months, topaz is also the stone for the 9th and 14th wedding anniversaries. If you are single- hell sister, just go get you one.



Image via Gemology Online



Topaz gets its name from the Topazos Island (or Zabargad, Zebirget, Topazios) in the Red Sea off of Egypt, the old names for St John's Island, where it was believed to have been first mined. Or it may come from the Arabic word meaning "to seek" as the island was often shrouded in fog and difficult to find. But then there is the Sanskrit word tapas meaning heat or fire. At any rate, it is interesting that this particular island is not volcanic, as one would suspect for a gemstone formed of cooled magma, but rather is uplifted mantle. The stones found here were most likely citrine, periodite, chrysolite, or some other stone. Today, Brazil is the largest topaz mining location in the world, with some stones reaching boulder size and weighing several hundred pounds. Topaz is also mined in Australia, Namibia, Nigeria, Russia, Pakistan, Brazil, and the U.S.A. (California, New Hampshire, Utah).

Image via Gemwise (moved to RW Wise)

During the eighteenth century more than half of the world's supply of gold was removed from the hillsides surrounding the Brazilian town of Oro Preto. These same hills hold almost the entire world's known commercial reserves of Imperial and Precious topaz. Topaz is generally mined by open pit mining. The mining of topaz is strongly associated with tin mining, a mineral needed to create bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) and it is almost certain that the people in the middle-eastern bronze age would have known about this gemstone.

Image via From Earth To Art

White topaz. Image via Emily Gems

Let's talk about some of our topaz colors. Pure topaz is actually colorless and is the most common type, found in China, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Nigeria and India. It is sometimes called white topaz but it is colorless. Perhaps the most famous topaz is the Braganza topaz, a huge colorless topaz originally thought to be a diamond  and said to have been set in the Portuguese crown. Or not. Much debate has raged about the "Braganza Diamond" since its discovery in 1797. At 1680 carats, it would have been by far the largest rough diamond in the world. The debate still rages on. I would love love love to share a photo of this but cannot. You see, it appears that the 1680 topaz has been misplaced. I know, right? I know where my puny little rocks are at all times of the day so how one misplaces such a behemoth is puzzling. It has to do with Napoleon and deposed Portuguese rulers and escapes to Brazil, all of which you can read about in detail at Internet Stones. It actually is interesting, especially if you're a history freak (a-hem).





Circa 1830 Georgian pink topaz earring- $13,750
Image via The Three Graces

 

Pink topaz occurs naturally in Pakistan and Russia, and is occasionally found in other locations. Pink topaz is usually pale pink; anything that is described as "hot pink" or "bright pink" is artificially treated or heated to produce the enhanced color. Heating some shades of pink topaz will remove the orange color and will leave a lavender colored gem. (Source The Many Beautiful Colors of Topaz). Natural pink topaz are very rare indeed and quite costly. Most pink topaz on the market have been treated. I personally don't care because pink is pink, but if you want to remain natural, it's gonna cost ya.



Image via Gem Society





Blue topaz generally starts as a very pale blue gem and is treated to enhance its color. This treatment involves irradiating the stone first and then heating it to stabilize the color. An electron bombardment in a linear accelerator produces a sweet blue called Sky blue. Neutron bombardment in a nuclear reactor produces the dark dusky color called London blue. A combination of both processes gives us the nicely saturated Swiss blue. Neutron bombardment leaves the stone somewhat radioactive and the stones must be held for a year or so to allow them to "cool." Almost all blue topaz on the market, especially the richer colors, have been treated and there is no way at this time to determine whether or not a stone has been treated. Blue topaz is generally modestly priced. Blue topaz, as mentioned, is the birthstone of December (along with turquoise) as well as the state stone of Texas and Utah.

Image via Gram Faceting

Ah, the Imperial topaz. The rarest and therefore the most valuable, of topaz, Imperial topaz is marked by its distinctive orange, pink, peachy, champagne colors. Mined primarily at the Ouro Preto mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil deposits are also located in the Ural Mountains of Russia and in Pakistan. When first mined in Russia, only the Imperial family was allowed to own them, hence the name. True Imperial topaz is never treated and any topaz with these colors cannot be called Imperial if it has been treated. Because of its resemblance to the Padparadscha Sapphire (my very number one favorite gem), this is naturally my favorite topaz. Imperial topaz is the anniversary topaz for the 23rd wedding anniversary. Hmmm- 6 more years to go.



Image via One Vibration



Mystic topaz is a colorless stone that has a very thin layer, only microns thick, layer of titanium applied to the pavilion, or underside, of the gemstone. The reflective nature of the coating causes light to reflect through the gemstone prisms, creating the rainbow effects. Mystic topaz is not considered a man-made stone but neither is it a natural stone. It is enhanced. Production of mystic topaz is strictly limited by the patents of the company, ACT, Inc that invented the process. While topaz is very hard, the titanium coating is very thin and can be easily scratched. I don't generally care for mystic topaz; it looks way too fake, like something you would get from a vending machine. Wow- that's the strongest negative opinion I've given about a gemstone. Oh well, someone has to be last!

Carved topaz.
Image via Skullis

So what about the mystery and mystique of topaz? Our stone has been known and documented for over 2000 years. Ancient Egyptians associated the topaz with the color of the sun god Ra and they also wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury. The Greeks associated the topaz with their sun being, Apollo.

Image via Molecular Expressions





The powdered stone was put in wine and used as a cure for asthma, insomnia, burns and hemorrhage. It was regarded as the stone of fruitfulness and faithfulness and one that conferred cheerfulness on the wearer. It was supposed to calm passions and prevent bad dreams. The topaz was believed to warn of poison by changing color. It was said instantly quench the heat of boiling water; you could immerse your hand, supposedly, in boiling water after a topaz was thrown in and you would suffer no burns. All these magical powers were supposed to increase or decrease with changes of the moon. During the Middle Ages, topaz was thought to heal mental disorders and prevent death. The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight, cure insomnia and respiratory ailments. It was also believed to be an effective talisman against accident and fire, and to bring increased intuition and long life. To Christians, it was known as a symbol of uprightness and virtue and was the the stone that represented the apostle Matthew. In ancient times, a figure of a falcon carved on a topaz was thought to help earn the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates. Ancient people believed that topaz stones can easily attract love and devotion and was also considered as the stone that honed the creative juices of the wearer. The Hindus believe that worn as a pendant, this gemstone will relieve thirst, sharpen intelligence and lengthen ones life. In 1255, St Hildegard of Bingen, the famous mystic, offered a simple remedy for failing eyesight: steep a topaz in wine for three days and then lightly rub it over the eyes. Topaz has been said to be an ideal stone for travelers, protecting them from homesickness and danger. Ancient Romans credited topaz with preventing sickness of the chest and abdominal pain. Set in gold and worn around the neck, topaz is reputed to dispel bad omens, heal poor vision and calm anger.

Today, people who believe in the healing powers of stones believe that topaz stimulates the endocrine system and assists in general tissue regeneration. It is also said to increase poor appetite and help fight blood disorders. It is supposed to release tension and give feelings of joy. Topaz is known as a spiritual rejuvenation gemstone. It has been said that dreaming of topaz may indicate that good fortune is on its way. These dreams can also suggest love affairs.

High magnification of topaz. The thin striations are the cleavage planes.
Image via Gemology Online



Topaz is a relatively hard stone (Mohs 8) which makes it good for use in jewelry. However, because of the internal structure of the topaz crystals, topaz has what is called perfect cleavage. Cleavage describes how a stone breaks apart when subjected to stress. If it leaves a smooth edge, it has cleavage. If the stone breaks apart without any crystallized fragments, it does not have cleavage. Minerals with perfect cleavage will cleave without leaving any rough surfaces; a full, smooth plane is formed where the crystal broke. Topaz has what is called basal cleavage, meaning that it will break perpendicular to the mineral axis of its internal structure. It cleaves easily in one direction. Mica is another example of perfect cleavage.



Image via Smart Minerals



So, did you catch that- "easily fractures". One good whack can split your stone in half, just like a diamond. Look for settings that will protect the stone. Of course you do not want to wear your topaz, or any other good gems, while spelunking, gardening, operating a jack hammer, de-greasing your car engine, playing football, bleaching the laundry, building a campfire, mountain biking...... you get it, right? Avoid sudden changes in temperature and store your topaz out of the light since sunlight can cause it to fade. Also avoid even moderate heat. Remember that heat-treating yellow topaz at even moderate tempatures will turn it pink (not so bad in my pink-loving estimation but you know what I mean). Clean your topaz in a mild dish detergent. Never use a steamer or ultra-sonic cleaner as topaz often has liquid inclusions which may explode in these types of cleaners. Store topaz in its own padded box, jewelry box compartment, or wrapped in a soft cloth. Store out of sunlight. When wearing your topaz, put it on last, after your have applied any and all lotion, hairspray, perfume, or make-up. Take it off first. You know- last on, first off.



Ouch! This topaz broke with only moderate pressure to a cleavage.
Image via The Ganoskin Project



The best stones tend to be priced at about 500 US dollars (USD) per carat. Stones larger than 2-3 carats have a larger per carat price. Imperial topaz stones of best quality may cost considerably more, and may run as much as 1000 USD per carat.

So- ready to roll with topaz? Let's go window shopping...

 

Pink topaz parure (matching jewel set).
Image via Marie Poutine's Jewels & Royals





Antique Czech Topaz bracelet with enamal- $5,551.00
Image via Jenrah's Accessories



20.5 carat Swiss blue topaz ring.
Image via Ashprye's Jewelry



Left- the Lindsey uncut topaz 32 kg/70.4 lbs, Center- American Golden Topaz, Right- Freeman uncut topaz, 50kg/110 lbs.
All three are at the Natural History Museum- Smithsonian Institute. Image via Internet Stones Blog.



Yellow topaz and diamond brooch. Image via Fine Jewelry





Colorless topaz. Image via Minfind



Natural light blue topaz. 48.5 carats. Image via Yenzshop





Isn't that a sexy color? Image via atoztheusa



Here we go ...



Topaz butterfly brooch. Created by Buzz Gray and Bernadine Johnson.
Part of the Butterfly Brooch Collection at the San Diego Natural History Museum.



Citrine and topaz brooch. Image via icollector



OK, so there you go. I must say that topaz never caught my eye much. It seemed so... tan.  But now I think I have a better appreciation for November's birthsone. I mean, after all, it comes in pink!

Thanks for taking a look today and please flutter on by again.

October- Opalicious Opulence

Image via List-of-Birthstones.com



Image by Striving To A Goal via Flickr

 

Image via James Alfredson



Victorian Era Solid Jelly Opal Locket In Gold Setting- $14,999
Image via Estate Fine Jewelry



Something a bit different this month for our birthstone. Unlike most birthstones, opals are not a mineral but rather are a mineraloid, which do not have a crystalline structure. Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, is another example of a mineraloid. Pearls are the only other non-mineral birthstone.

Image via Alibaba.com

You know those little desiccant packets that seem to come in everything you buy? Silica gel. Silica, silicon dioxide, is the most abundant element in the earth's crust. Sand. OK- no it's not that easy because scientificos  can break down and categorize all kinds of things, including silica, but that's the basics of it- sand. Well, opals form when a silica gel- water and weathered silica- seeps down into the cracks and fissures of a host rock, settling at the bottom. This makes opal a sedimentary stone, which form at relatively cool temperatures close to the earth's surface, unlike the deep igneous and metamorphic rocks which require loads of heat and pressure. Diamonds are an example of that type of formation. No, our silica gel settled gently into its new home at the bottom of a pond or other water body and waited for the surface water to recede. Over time the water inside the silica gel began to evaporate and the gel hardened. If the water evaporates quickly, the opal will be less stable. The best example is mud- we've all seen those dried out mud patches with the cracks running across the surface. So it is with opals. These brittle, unstable opals are pretty common worldwide and do not carry a great deal of value. However, if the water evaporates slowly the resulting opals are much more stable and, if the opal has a nice fire to it, will most likely be considered a precious, or gem quality, opal. All opals contain 2-6% water, maybe as high as 20%. A higher water content will result in an unstable opal. But here's a cool thing to think about. That water from some ancient sea or lake or stream that formed the silica gel? Still in the opal!

Opal in matrix. Image via Ohio State University Newark

Alright- hold on, let's back up a minute. Fire in an opal? Oh yes, baby, you want fire in your opal. Fire is the term used to describe the flashes of light and color in an opal, the "play of color". Careful- a "fire opal" is any translucent opal, usually with a yellow to orange to reddish background color.



Left- Black opal with good fire. Image via Steve Perry Gems
Right- Fire opal, with good fire. Image via Harlequin Minerals
Both gorgeous, right?



Before we move on, I just have to tell you about another really cool thing- opalized fossils. Sometimes our silica gel will have settled into the cracks and fissure of various bits of bone, teeth, shell, wood, and so forth- any of the things that become fossils. Or these little bits of treasure will fall into a little puddle of silica gel. As the gel hardens, it shapes to or replaces the organic materials and you have opalized fossils. "Neat-o" in the extreme.



Australian opalized clam shells.
Image via Cochise.edu





Opalized dinosaur tooth
Image via Australian Museum



Back to the fire in opals. It was previously thought that the beautiful play of color in opals came from iridescence. However, with the invention of the electron microscope gemologists were able to discover the true structure of opals and the source of that fire. As mentioned, opals are a mineraloid, meaning they do not have a crystalline structure. Instead, the silica gel is composed of water and tiny silica spheres. As the gel settles into its host rock (or dinosaur bone- cool!), it can do one of two things. If the spheres are uniform in size and settle into a regular, organized, tightly packed structure, the resulting opal will be a precious opal, meaning it will have the lovely fire, flash, and color so desired in opals. If the spheres are irregular and disorganized, the opal will not have that delicious play of color. At the risk of getting too scientific-y, let me quote from GBJewelers:

When the spheres are the same size and are arranged in a three-dimensional grid, negatively charged areas are created in the gaps between the spheres. If those negatively charged areas are as big as a wavelength of visible light, then colors will be visible. One reason opals with red fire are so popular is because an opal with red fire will also display every other color. Red light has the largest wavelength followed by orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. If an opal displays red fire, then that means the negative areas between the spheres are as big as the largest wavelength of visible light. As the opal rotates slightly, the colors change as the negative areas become gradually smaller from the viewer’s perspective.

 

SO it is light diffraction (disruption of light waves when they encounter an obstacle), not iridescence (light reflection from the superficial layers) that gives opal her colorful shazaam because it is the spacing and uniformity- the internal structure- of the silica spheres that determine the play of color, even color.

Left- organized internal structure of  precious opal. Image via Unique Opals.
Right- haphazard arrangement of the silica spheres of common opal . Image via Search4Gems.

Stay with me now because there's one other term that is important to understanding opals: opalescence. As mentioned, "play of color" refers to the colorful sparks and flashes of color that come from a changing viewing angle of long light waves in the opal. The more regular the internal spherical structure, the more red flashes. Red is good. Opalescence is often referred to as "play of color" but they are not the same thing. Opalescence refers to the milky, turbid (cloudy) appearance of a stone. It does not display bright flashes of color but rather a shimmering usually bluish white effect caused by short ligthwaves reflecting within a stone that has larger, more irregular spaces between the silica spheres. I know! Here we are already graduated and on with our lives and what pops up? Science class!!



There are two broad categories of opal: precious opal and common opal. Common opals, or potch, are much more abundant but do not display the play of color so desired in opals and it displays the same colors no matter the angle from which it is viewed. They have opalescence but not play of color (science class now, finally, dismissed).




Potch opal. Image via Wikipedia

 

Precious opals are extremely rare and a top quality precious opal can sometimes fetch $20,000 per carat, far more than diamond. Precious opals can be further categorized though some sources offer differing categories. I'll try to stick with the basics that seem to be universally accepted. Keep in mind that because opals are sedimentary and form across a variety of settings, there are TONS of variations. Also, what we do to opals once they come out of the ground effects how they look. And each type of appearance has its own name. If you visit Real Gems you will see photo upon photo of all kinds of opals (though not by any means an all-inclusive list). There are just so many colors and patterns and they all want their own name. It's confusing but fascinating and I would encourage you to go take a look just to be boggled. But let's go forward and see what we can discover.


There are four basic broad categories of opals: black, light, boulder, and crystal.


Black opals are by far the rarest, most expensive, and without contest the most beautiful opal you will find. These are the dark, fiery, colorful opals that make your heart sparkle and your mind breathe "Wow!"  (Can you tell now that I really like opals?) These opals are called "Black" because their background color is black, blue, brown or gray and as we know, that black background gives the best contrast for viewing the colors. That's why jewelers show their wares on black velvet. One site I visited described black opals as "having the look of an angry storm behind a rainbow".   (Oh yes, let the peotry begin). Black opals are cut as cabochons in order to fully appreciate their beauty, which can stand up to, even right next to, any ol' diamond you throw at it. Opals, with one exception, also are cut as cabs because they lack a crystalline structure and therefore cannot be faceted. THAT'S why you don't see emerald cut opals.

 

Left- Opal & Gem Export,   Middle- The House of Tibara,   Right- Flash Opal  



Light, or white, opals are the most abundant type of opal. They have a milky white appearance (yes, opalescence but also play of color is present) which can range from near opaque to translucent. The lighter the opal, the more difficult it becomes to see the play of color although some do have plenty of fire. White opals are the least valuable opal but that makes them an affordable option if you simply must have an opal, any opal, just get me an opal! Some of these stones really are quite beautiful.
 

Left- Cerca Gems    Middle- Lang Antiques    Right- Mineral & Gemstone Kingdom



Boulder opals are the second most valuable type of opal. Boulder opals form when a thin layer of opal rests atop a thicker layer of darker host rock, generally ironstone, and are easily distinguished by the layer of solid brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Because the layer of opal is so thin, opal cutters need to leave the ironstone on the back of the opal in order to form a full sized stone. Although the ironstone layer providing the backing to boulder opals may appear similar to doublets upon first inspection, the formation is completely natural which makes them so much more valuable than a man-made doublet (which we will discuss in a second). Leaving the layer of ironstone essentially creates a black opal and they are generally priced almost the same. Without the ironstone backing, most boulder opals would be considerably lighter in color, far more fragile, and thus less valuable. Boulder opals can, by far, have the most organic appearance of opals as they are often cut free-form and can have beautiful inclusions of the matrix rock. Boulder opals are cut as one with the host matrix and finished as a single piece piece. Sometimes host rock has opal through out the matrix instead of laid down in a layer. Boulder opals are found in the state of Queensland, Australia.

 

Left- Opal Rocks   Middle- Real Gems   Right- GemSelect



Crystal opals refer to any kind of opal (black, light, semi-black) that are transparent to translucent and typically have a good clarity which allows a strong diffracted color to be seen. If you can see through an opal, you are probably looking at a crystal opal. Crystal, in this instance, refers to the clarity not the internal structure since we now know that opals are not crystalline. We're getting so smart. 



Left- ECVV   Middle- Jewelers Ethics Association   Right- Big Island Jewelers



Fire opals are clear to translucent crystal opals that have little opalescence (the fiery flash) but are instead valued for their color. Their colors range in the warmer yellow, orange, reddish tones. These are the only opals that are faceted.



Fire Opals
Left- Cascade Gems  Middle- Osiris Gems   Right- International Colored Gemstone Association

So where can we find opals? Actually, our stone can be found all over the world but it is in Australia that we find most of the spectacular gem quality opals, accounting for an estimated 90% of the world's gem quality opals, 90% of that number being white opals. The most significant fire opal deposits are located in Mexico. Other mines can be found in United States, Peru, and Brazil as well as Turkey, Nicaragua, Hungary, Ethiopia and Guatemala. And, just in case you're up for a little shopping trip, NASA announced in 2008 that it had discovered opal deposits on Mars.

But what about the opal? What about her story and her history? The name opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone,” and later the Greek derivative “Opallios,” meaning “to see a change of color.”  Relatively rare up through the first half of the 19th century, opals were not discovered in Australia until 1849 by German immigrant Johannes Menge. It is widely believed that opal adornments dating back 6,000 years were discovered in Kenya by the archaeologist Louis Leaky. Some argue that these were, in fact, chalcedony or quartz as the body in the burial site had been cremated and the very heat-sensitive opal would not have survived. The first written record of opals dates to 300BC. Opals were being mined in Dubnik, Hungary by 1597 when Emperor Rudolf 11 issued a mining license for the deposit.



Savoia opal tiara.
Image via Colored Diamond Info



Opals were originally considered lucky gems with many powers of a positive nature.  In India, opal is thought to be the Goddess of rainbows turned to stone when fleeing from the romantic advances of the other Gods. Many believed that opals would enhance foresight as well as eyesight and some thought its effect on eyesight would render the wearer invisible, making it popular with thieves. Blondes wore opal necklaces to prevent their hair color from fading while others wore opals to clarify their emotions, lessen inhibitions, or enhance  spontaneity. Opal was given as a token of hope, purity and good luck. Aborigines believe the opal has a spiritual value. They believe the opal represents something an ancestor left behind as a sign of his or her presence. The Wangkumara people have a legend which tells how their people gained fire from opal stones. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth the opal was regarded as a stone with as many positive virtues as it has the hues and colors of every other stone and brought only joy and good fortune.



Image via Irena Daria- One of a Kind Jewelry



But the winds of change were beginning to blow for our precious opal. Because opals are brittle in nature, they are difficult to fashion and set. Maybe those early jewelers began whispering tales of woe about opals to get out of having to work with them (that's my theory) or maybe it was when Louis XI of France ordered his jeweler’s hands cut off as punishment for the accidental destruction of a royal opal. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Europe was beset with trouble, including diseases like the Black Plague and widespread famine. Someone or some thing had to be responsible. Rumors began to spread that perhaps the opal brought misfortune. Then Sir Walter Scott went and wrote his book. In “Anne of Geierstein” (1829), Sir Walter Scott wrote that the enchanted character named Baroness Hermione always wore an opal in her hair. This opal was said to have reflected the moods of the wearer; sparkling when she was happy, showing red when she was angry. At some point in the story, the opal was sprinkled with holy water and it immediately went dull and lifeless. The Baroness was taken ill and soon died, left in a pile of ashes on her sick bed. The opal was in ashes as well. Sir Scott's novel was so popular and widely read that the fate of the opal was sealed. Bad luck for the fictional Baroness was bad luck for our beautiful opal.



Carved opal mermaid.
Image via Opal Information Site



Then, poor opal, black opals were discovered in Australia in 1900. The thinking was initially put forth, most likely by someone whose mine was producing black opals, that if white opals were bad luck their opposite, the black opal, must be good luck. As soon as diamond producers caught a whiff of the increasing popularity of black opals, they sent their Ad Men into overdrive. No, no, no- everyone knows that black represents evil and therefore .....  poor opal.

But some, notably Queen Victoria and Napoleon Bonaparte, loved opals and wore them regularly, in spite of the uproar. Napoleon even had opals set in the crown jewels of France. Slowly, the opal has regained most of its early glory days, though there are still jewelers in parts of Europe who refuse to sell opals. I can remember as a kid with an October birthday being told that it was bad luck to give an opal to anyone who was not born in October. Yeah for me! As the birthstone for October, the opal stands for hope.

My humble little black opal earrings were given to me as a gift many years ago.
The gold has worn badly from the settings and I've been thinking about re-setting
them as a ring or pendant. Perhaps with a pink tourmaline
in keeping with the October birthstone theme? 

Opals are said to enhance self-confidence, strengthen memory, help stimulate originality and dynamic creativity, encourage an interest in the arts, and is a representative of justice and harmony. Overall, the stone is said to be the most useful in preventing bad health. It strengthens the immune system and helps the body be resilient to infection. And it alleviates PMS. Let me say that again, alleviates PMS. Good excuse as any to go shopping, as far as I'm concerned.



Image via Molecular Expressions



So we're at the store, ready to rock some opals. What do we need to know when buying opals? First and foremost, check the solidity of the stone. That's right, not all opals are solid, which would be the most desirable yet most expensive stone to buy. Look at the side of the opal. If you see layering, beware, ask questions, check for paperwork. Opals are sold as solid, doublet, or triplet.

Best- a solid opal, no matter if it's black, white, pink, harlequin, fire, whatever, has the highest value (and price tag).

A doublet opal is a thin layer of opal with a darker layer glued to the back. This is usually ironstone, obsidian, glass, potch opal, anything cheaper than the actual opal. A doublet is sometimes created if the layer of opal is too thin to cut or use as a solid stone. This enhances the color and will give a light opal more of a black opal appearance.

A triplet opal is similar to a doublet with the addition of a glass or crystal dome on top. This is done to protect the layer of real opal as well as enhance the opal's overall appearance. Triplet opals are "extremely affordable".

Because opals are non-crystalline and do not facet, except for fire opals, they are generally finished in a cabochon. They should also be set in a bezel or other enclosed setting instead of the more familiar prong setting in order to protect the stone. However, this can make it tricky to see the opal from the side in order to determine its solidity. Shop only at reputable jewelers and ask to see a disclosure for the specific stone you are considering.



Sometimes, a seller will offer a "genuine opal triplet or doublet". You better believe it!
The opal is genuine but the stone taken as a whole is not natural- it is genuine indeed, but assembled.
Truth in advertising with a sneaky twist.
Image via Rocks On Fire



Next, evaluate the play-of-color, the range of color, and the background color. The best opals have many different colors, in large flashes, widely dispersed across the stone. Beware of regular grid patterns in the opal's fire as this may indicate a man-made synthetic opal or piece mosaic. Also look at the background. Black opals, which are actually any dark color, such as dark green, dark brown or black, are the most prized. Dark gray, followed by light colored opals are next on the value scale.

Art Nouvea brooch, turn of the century, $27,500.
Image via Lang's Antique's

Finally, check the size. Solid opals are sold by carat weight; the larger the carat, usually the more expensive. However, the variations of opal colors, both in body color and display color, make a big difference in price. Boulder opals (because of the weight of the ironstone),  doublets and triplets should be sold only by the stone, not by weight. 

Boulder opal. Image via Gemology Online

Some natural opals, but not all, will fluoresce under UV Light. Synthetic opal does not fluoresce. That's right- synthetic. Synthetic solid opal can be very difficult to identify, unless you are an expert or have a lot of experience. Chemically, synthetic is very similar to natural in that it is a hydrated silica gel and is made in the lab under almost the same processes that it took "in the wild" all those millions of years ago. Look closely at the pattern - opal created in a laboratory (Gilson opal) displays large bright patches of color. The pattern is often 'too perfect' and ordered. I make the analogy of the pattern of granite counter tops versus quartz (though I personally prefer quartz for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with this discussion). Synthetic opals can also often display a 'snakeskin' pattern. If you are still not sure, take it to a gemologist or an opal expert.

Synthetic opal. Image via Skywalker.Cochise.Edu
Would this not make an awesome quartz-like countertop?
Opals are, in fact, related to quartz but we just aren't going
to start that line of discussion. I already dismissed science class.



Snakeskin appearance of synthetic opal. Image via Your Gemologist



Additionally, imitation and simulated opals (as opposed to synthetic) are made of glass, resin, or some other non-siliceous substance. I'm going to send you to Rainbow of the Desert if you would like to learn more about educating yourself about these fakers.

Opals require special care, once you have them safely in your possession. Due to their relative softness, opals scratch and break easily. As with any gemstone, precious or semi-precious, it is best to take it off to do the dishes, weed the garden, change the oil in your car, or play flag football with the kids. Water will not harm solid opals but it can cause the layers of a double or triplet opal to separate. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia. It is best to clean your opal with a soft cloth and a mild- MILD- detergent. No scrubbing. Dry thoroughly. Store your opal away from other jewelery, such as in a separate compartment, to avoid getting scratched. You can also keep your opal in a sealed plastic baggie, even with a cotton ball and a couple drops of water. Do not put them in a safe deposit box as bank vaults tend to have fairly low humidity, which would suck the life right out of your opal. Avoid  high heat and sudden changes in temperature. It isn't that opals don't like to be cold, they don't like to suddenly become cold. I read an account of a woman who went outside on a cold winter  day with a beautiful opal brooch on her coat. Once she hit that cold air, she heard an audible "crack" as her opal self-destructed. Oh, that makes me sad just thinking about it. Wear you opals often so that they receive the needed humidity from the air and your skin.

OK- best part-- Opal Tour !!

Best still my heart- Edwardian Necklace.
 Image via Lang's Antique's



World's largest and most valuable precious opal, discovered in 1956 in Coober Pedy, Australia.
This extraordinary opal consists of 99% gem opal with an even color throughout the stone. The balance of 1% being the remaining soil still adhering to it. It weighs 17,000 carats and is valued at $2,000,000USD.Image via Altmann & Cherney




Left- Boulder opal. Image via Opals On Black
Right- Matrix boulder opal- smaller "flecks" of opal in the host rock. Image via Michelle's Opals Australia 



Image via Gems and Jewelery Lovers Blog




Boulder opal jewelery can often have a very earthy, organic look
and is frequently mounted free-form. This stunning babe will set you back $3,800.
Image via Marty Magic.



In this photo you can see how the silica gel would have oozed down through the rock
to settle at the bottom of the fissure. This is a fire opal from Spencer, Idaho.
Image via Peregrine Rocks



Image via Juniker Jewelry Company

J.E. Caldwell opal & diamond butterfly brooch. $30,000USD
Image via Alain Troung



So there you go- opals galore! As an October baby, I like that opals are somewhat different from the most other birthstones (excepting our gal Pearl, of course) in that they were formed differently- cooler temperatures, close to the surface, generally in the presence of water. And those colors!



I've tried to be as correct as possible with this information but once you start getting into opals- WOW! There are so many kinds and patterns and opinions that it can be confusing. I visited gemology and geology discussion boards on which participants not only had differing opinions but in a couple of cases were barely hanging onto their manners. Passionate about opals! I can understand. I'm not a geologist, though I do find it fascinating, so if you have noticed glaring mistakes, please forgive me. This quite honestly has been the most difficult of our birthstones to post about because there are just so many kinds of opals and opinions about opals. There is even growing discussing about how opals were really formed.....   crikey! 

So Happy Birthday to all you fabulous October butterflies- hope your day is opalicious!

And thank all of you, regardless of your birthday, for visiting today. I have a funky candle luminary thing to show you next time- just in time to eat, drink, and be scary.