Referred To As The Queen Of Gemstones

    

     At least that's how Shakespeare described an Opal.  A birthstone for October.

     Opals usually contain 4 to 9 percent water, but some may contain up to 30 percent water.  They're formed from lumps of silica and are actually silicon dioxide and water.  The water in the stone cannot escape unless the opal is heated to an extreme temperature.

     They are more than 60 million years old and typically found where hot springs once flowed.  Making them sedimentary in origin.  Each tiny sphere of silica within an opal refracts a single pure spectral color depending on the size and spacing of the sphere.  Opals have an extraordinary ability to refract light. 

 

     Opals were set in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor and in the crown jewels of France.  It has been said that Cleopatra wore an opal to attract the gaze of Mark Anthony.   Ancient Aztecs mined for Opals in Central and South America.  They are considered to be very magical, possessing healing powers.  That explains why they are the stone of choice for witches.  Wearing a black opal near your heart is said to ward off evil.  Black opals are only found in Australia.  90% of gem quality opals are from Southern Australia.  

     When buying an opal you should consider the color of its "fire", intensity of its "sparkle" and the rarity of the color.  High quality opals can bring as much as $80,000 per carat, making them more valuable than diamonds.