opal as "made up of the glories of the most
precious gems ... the gentler fire of the ruby, the
rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the
emerald, glittering together..."
White opal has a white or light body color with
flashes of many colors. Black opal has a black,
dark blue, dark green or gray body color with
vivid flashes of color such as red, pink and bright
green.
Opal is the October birthstone as well as the
accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year
of marriage.
Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity
through the ages. In the Middle Ages, young,
fair-haired girls wore opals in their hair to protect
its lovely blond color. Medieval writers believed
opal could render its wearer invisible when the
need arose. It was also said to have a beneficial
effect on eyesight. It was thougbt to banish evil
spirits and favor children, the theater,
amusements, friendships and feelings.
Occasionally opal matrix is dyed to produce
black and a play of color. Care should be taken
to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, house-
hold chemicals, and extreme temperature
changes. To maintain the brilliance of opal, it
should be wiped clean with a soft cloth. Do not
use a home ultrasonic machine or jewelry
cleaner.
Opal sources are Australia, Mexico, and the U.S.