Opals: History, Lore, and the Beauty Within
Opals have long been regarded as some of the most enchanting gemstones in the world. With their shifting colors and luminous glow, they’ve inspired legends, fascinated royalty, and remained beloved symbols of beauty and individuality.
Folklore and Legends
The history of opals stretches back thousands of years, and so do the stories surrounding them. In ancient Rome, opals were celebrated as symbols of purity, hope, and good fortune. The philosopher Pliny the Elder described them as holding the colors of every gemstone within one stone—sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and amethysts all shimmering together. To the Romans, owning an opal was the height of luxury.
In Arabian Lore people believed opals fell from the sky in flashes of lightning, explaining their sudden bursts of color. In ancient Bedouin culture, they were thought to contain lightning itself. Meanwhile, in the Middle Ages, opals were called “ophthalmios,” or “the eye stone,” because people believed they could improve vision and even make one invisible if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf. Clearly, opals were never just background players in folklore—they were the star of the story.
But not all tales were flattering. In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein portrayed opals as unlucky, linking them to misfortune. The public took the story to heart, and for decades opals suffered from this undeserved reputation. Queen Victoria, however, helped restore their image by openly wearing opals and gifting them to her daughters, proving the stone’s beauty far outweighed superstition.
A Gem Through the Ages
Opals have marked their place in cultures across the globe. Ancient Greeks believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy. In India, they were revered as symbols of love and passion, sometimes associated with the goddess of rainbows. For centuries, opals were also regarded as powerful talismans, guarding against illness and bad luck.
By the late 19th century, the opal’s story took a dramatic new turn with the discovery of vast deposits in Australia. Before then, opals were mainly mined in Hungary and a few other parts of Europe, but these stones were often pale with limited flashes of color. When miners in New South Wales and Queensland began uncovering brilliant, fiery specimens, the jewelry world was astonished. These Australian opals displayed an intensity of color that rivaled anything seen before.
The most famous discovery came in 1902 at Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, where black opals—now considered the rarest and most valuable type—were unearthed. Their dark body tone makes the rainbow play-of-color look even more vivid, creating patterns that resemble galaxies or stained glass. These stones put Australia on the map as the world’s leading source of opals. By the early 20th century, Australia supplied nearly all of the world’s opals, a title it still holds today with over 90% of global production.
The opal rush transformed remote outback towns like Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, and Andamooka into bustling mining hubs. Coober Pedy, founded in 1915, became famous not just for its opals but for its unique underground homes, where miners sought refuge from the searing desert heat. Even today, these towns thrive on opal mining, tourism, and the enduring mystique of the gemstone.
What Makes Opals Unique
What sets opals apart is their “play-of-color.” Tiny silica spheres within the stone diffract light, creating flashes of rainbow hues. Depending on the arrangement and size of these spheres, the colors can appear as broad flashes, tiny pinpoints, or rolling patterns of fire across the stone’s surface. This scientific wonder is what gives opals their reputation as the most expressive gemstone.
No two opals are alike, which means each stone is completely unique. They range from soft, pastel milky whites to dramatic black opals alive with vibrant red, green, and blue. Some evoke serene cloudscapes, while others look like volcanic fire or the starry night sky.
Care and Character
Unlike harder gems such as diamonds or sapphires, opals are delicate and need thoughtful care. With a water content of up to 20%, they can be sensitive to extreme dryness, heat, or sudden temperature changes. Gentle cleaning with a soft cloth and mild solution is best, and opals should be stored separately from harder stones to prevent scratches. With proper care, their beauty will last for generations.
A Timeless Treasure
Opals embody a rare combination of history, folklore, and natural wonder. They have been seen as gifts of prophecy, emblems of purity, protectors of love, and symbols of hope. Their shifting colors continue to mesmerize, reminding us that beauty is most powerful when it is ever-changing and unique.
October’s Birthstone
It’s no surprise that such a remarkable gem was chosen as the birthstone for October. Opals perfectly capture the spirit of the season—vivid, changing, and full of light even as the days grow shorter. For those born this month, opals symbolize creativity, passion, and individuality. Gifting an opal in October isn’t just tradition; it’s a celebration of all the colorful facets of life.
At Jaymark Jewelers, we celebrate this one-of-a-kind gemstone all October long. From delicate pendants to statement rings, our opal pieces showcase the beauty and individuality that have made this gem so treasured through the centuries. Stop by our Cold Spring showroom or explore our collection online to discover the opal that speaks to you—because no two are ever the same.
Opals have long been regarded as some of the most enchanting gemstones in the world. With their shifting colors and luminous glow, they’ve inspired legends, fascinated royalty, and remained beloved symbols of beauty and individuality.
Folklore and Legends
The history of opals stretches back thousands of years, and so do the stories surrounding them. In ancient Rome, opals were celebrated as symbols of purity, hope, and good fortune. The philosopher Pliny the Elder described them as holding the colors of every gemstone within one stone—sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and amethysts all shimmering together. To the Romans, owning an opal was the height of luxury.
In Arabian Lore people believed opals fell from the sky in flashes of lightning, explaining their sudden bursts of color. In ancient Bedouin culture, they were thought to contain lightning itself. Meanwhile, in the Middle Ages, opals were called “ophthalmios,” or “the eye stone,” because people believed they could improve vision and even make one invisible if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf. Clearly, opals were never just background players in folklore—they were the star of the story.
But not all tales were flattering. In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein portrayed opals as unlucky, linking them to misfortune. The public took the story to heart, and for decades opals suffered from this undeserved reputation. Queen Victoria, however, helped restore their image by openly wearing opals and gifting them to her daughters, proving the stone’s beauty far outweighed superstition.
A Gem Through the Ages
Opals have marked their place in cultures across the globe. Ancient Greeks believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy. In India, they were revered as symbols of love and passion, sometimes associated with the goddess of rainbows. For centuries, opals were also regarded as powerful talismans, guarding against illness and bad luck.
By the late 19th century, the opal’s story took a dramatic new turn with the discovery of vast deposits in Australia. Before then, opals were mainly mined in Hungary and a few other parts of Europe, but these stones were often pale with limited flashes of color. When miners in New South Wales and Queensland began uncovering brilliant, fiery specimens, the jewelry world was astonished. These Australian opals displayed an intensity of color that rivaled anything seen before.
The most famous discovery came in 1902 at Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, where black opals—now considered the rarest and most valuable type—were unearthed. Their dark body tone makes the rainbow play-of-color look even more vivid, creating patterns that resemble galaxies or stained glass. These stones put Australia on the map as the world’s leading source of opals. By the early 20th century, Australia supplied nearly all of the world’s opals, a title it still holds today with over 90% of global production.
The opal rush transformed remote outback towns like Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, and Andamooka into bustling mining hubs. Coober Pedy, founded in 1915, became famous not just for its opals but for its unique underground homes, where miners sought refuge from the searing desert heat. Even today, these towns thrive on opal mining, tourism, and the enduring mystique of the gemstone.
What Makes Opals Unique
What sets opals apart is their “play-of-color.” Tiny silica spheres within the stone diffract light, creating flashes of rainbow hues. Depending on the arrangement and size of these spheres, the colors can appear as broad flashes, tiny pinpoints, or rolling patterns of fire across the stone’s surface. This scientific wonder is what gives opals their reputation as the most expressive gemstone.
No two opals are alike, which means each stone is completely unique. They range from soft, pastel milky whites to dramatic black opals alive with vibrant red, green, and blue. Some evoke serene cloudscapes, while others look like volcanic fire or the starry night sky.
Care and Character
Unlike harder gems such as diamonds or sapphires, opals are delicate and need thoughtful care. With a water content of up to 20%, they can be sensitive to extreme dryness, heat, or sudden temperature changes. Gentle cleaning with a soft cloth and mild solution is best, and opals should be stored separately from harder stones to prevent scratches. With proper care, their beauty will last for generations.
A Timeless Treasure
Opals embody a rare combination of history, folklore, and natural wonder. They have been seen as gifts of prophecy, emblems of purity, protectors of love, and symbols of hope. Their shifting colors continue to mesmerize, reminding us that beauty is most powerful when it is ever-changing and unique.
October’s Birthstone
It’s no surprise that such a remarkable gem was chosen as the birthstone for October. Opals perfectly capture the spirit of the season—vivid, changing, and full of light even as the days grow shorter. For those born this month, opals symbolize creativity, passion, and individuality. Gifting an opal in October isn’t just tradition; it’s a celebration of all the colorful facets of life.
At Jaymark Jewelers, we celebrate this one-of-a-kind gemstone all October long. From delicate pendants to statement rings, our opal pieces showcase the beauty and individuality that have made this gem so treasured through the centuries. Stop by our Cold Spring showroom or explore our collection online to discover the opal that speaks to you—because no two are ever the same.