Fall in Love with Dreamy Opal Jewelry

Opal gemstones are renowned for their kaleidoscopic play of color. Throughout history, they’ve inspired artists, philosophers, and even royalty.

Have an October birthday? You're in luck! The beautiful and mysterious opal is your birthstone. Read on to learn more about this storied gemstone and see wonderful pieces of vintage and antique opal jewelry.

What exactly is an opal? Opals are a form of hydrated silica. Their mesmerizing color display is due to the interaction of light within the natural crystal. As light enters the stone, it bends around the silica spheres and splits into the colors of the rainbow. 

There are several different types of opal. They range from precious opals that show the classic play-of-color, including green, pink, and orange, to fire opals that are a translucent glowing orange or yellow. The rarest type are black opals. Their dark body color enhances the classic play of color to give bright fiery rainbows.

Throughout history, opal jewelry has been surrounded by myth and superstition. In ancient Rome, opals were considered to be the most powerful of gems, embodying the virtues of all stones. Some cultures believed they could grant invisibility, while others saw them as symbols of hope, purity, and truth.

Shakespeare called opal “the queen of gems” and Pliny the Elder wrote that within its depths, you could see “the living fire of the ruby, the glorious purple of the amethyst, the sea green of the emerald, all glittering together in an incredible mixture of light.”

In the early 19th century, opal jewelry suffered from a run of bad press due to the popularity of Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Anne of Geierstein.” The story features an opal talisman that rains misfortune on its wearer.

Queen Victoria, jewel lover extraordinaire, put no stock in the bad luck rumors and wore opals throughout her reign. In 1887, she gave gifts of opal jewelry to her children to celebrate the discovery of black opals in Australia.

According to royal lore, opal was Prince Albert's favorite gemstone. In 1853, he commissioned the royal jeweler Garrard to create an opal tiara with matching earrings for Queen Victoria. This tiara became known as the Oriental Circlet and it continued to be worn into the 20th century.

Opals are relatively soft and contain water, making them more delicate than other gemstones, like diamonds or sapphires. When an opal dries out, it can easily crack. Protect your opal jewelry (and any gemstone jewelry!) from extreme temperatures, sudden temperature changes, and harsh chemicals.

Store opals separately from other jewelry to prevent scratching. If you live in a dry environment, store your opal jewelry with a damp cotton ball inside a small ziploc bag. 

After wearing, wipe your jewelry with a clean, slightly damp, cotton cloth. This will keep your opals free of fingerprints and other daily residue. For more thorough cleaning, use our tried and true method - in a bowl of warm (not hot!) soapy water, gently brush the jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush.

Rinse off the soap in warm water. After rinsing, dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak or immerse the jewelry in the cleaning solution. Always use simple warm water and a clean cloth. Never clean opals in a chemical solution or with an abrasive cloth.

Now that you’ve learned all about them, have you fallen in love with opal jewelry? Whether you choose a stunning cocktail ring, ornate necklace, or simple studs, wear and enjoy your magical opal jewels.