Australian Opal are a stunning variety of Precious Opals from Australia. Renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and vibrant display of colors, Australian Opal is one of the most sought-after varieties of opal. Precious Opals are the gem grade variety of Opals, known for their extraordinary opalescence or “play of colors” that shine like a rainbow! Black Opal, Boulder Opal Matrix Opal and White Opal are all Precious Opals.

Opals are a mineraloid, an amorphous material without a crystalline structure. Opals are composed of tiny spheres of amorphous silica. These spheres are all the exact same size and arranged in a perfect, repeating pattern. In this perfect environment, they will diffract the passing light into its component colors. As the light exits the opal, it displays this incredibly beautiful rainbow-effect that opals are known for. 

Australian Opals form in sedimentary rocks, typically in areas that were once ancient seabeds. Over millions of years, these seabeds have been subjected to cycles of weathering, erosion, and deposition, leading to the formation of opal. The process begins when silica-rich solutions, formed by the weathering of sandstone or other silica-bearing rocks, seep into cracks and voids in the ground. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a gel-like substance containing tiny silica spheres. Over time, as more water evaporates, the gel hardens and the silica spheres settle into an orderly arrangement, forming the structure that gives opal its play of color. The size of the silica spheres determines the colors observed; smaller spheres produce blues and greens, while larger spheres can produce reds and oranges.

Opals are the traditional October birthstone. There has become somewhat of a superstition of it being bad luck for someone who was born in another month to wear an Opal but this is actually originating from a novel written in the 1800s. Historically, many ancient cultures all over the world believed Opals to hold magical powers and was believed to be the most lucky of all stones! Anicent Grecians believed Opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy and protection from disease. Precious Opals are one of the most magical gems!

Australian Opals are an enchanting gem of joy, magic and manifestation. Australian Opal is a stone of emotional healing and transformation. Its gentle yet powerful energy helps release past traumas, emotional wounds, and negative patterns that may be holding one back. The stone's opalescence, with its ever-changing colors, mirrors the process of emotional healing—revealing the layers of emotions, bringing them to the surface, and allowing them to be transformed into light.

Australian Opals enhance creativity and inspire new ideas. Artists, writers, musicians, and anyone involved in creative endeavors can benefit from the stone’s energy, which is said to open the mind to new possibilities and spark the imagination. The Opal’s connection to the sacral chakra, the center of creativity and passion, makes it a powerful ally for those seeking to unlock their creative potential. Australian Opal helps you overcome creative blocks and bring clarity to one’s vision. It encourages the free flow of ideas and helps to manifest these ideas into reality. Whether you are starting a new project or seeking inspiration for your next masterpiece, Australian opal can serve as a source of creative energy and motivation.

Hardness: 5.5

Color: White to blue/dark blue with iridescent flashes of yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and purple

Structure: Amorphous

Care: Avoid prolonged exposure to heat (or extreme heat), direct sunlight and contact with abrasive surfaces or chemicals. Remove before contact sports, weight lifting or activities where it may come into contact with force. As always, it should be stored away from minerals higher on the MOHs scale.

Cleaning: Wash briefly with a soft cloth, wet with lukewarm soapy water (no chemicals or jewelry cleaner). Do not submerge under water.

Feng Shui Placement: Precious Opals should be placed in any room you want to promote more joy and positivity. I highly recommend wearing Opal jewelry for good luck.