Introduction:

Opal is a kind of gemstone. It is crystal. It is as white as milk. It has also bright luster of light as white as milk. The opals are of two kinds, crystal and half crystal. In Mineralogy, this is Silicon Dioxide or Silica of ordinary sand. Of course, in it there are iota’s of water in different number. Particularly in opal, there is a combination of several colours viz, brown, red, yellow and green. Opals in white and any other light colour with light luster of any other colour are also found.The outer appearance of a black opal is black, navy blue, bottle green or gray, also there’s slight touch of other colours.

Generally two opal gemstones never look alike. Variety is a notable feature of this gemstone. In this gemstone, a variety of colours have a dance game.

This gemstone is found in the mountain ditches and in the heap of scorching sun- heated sand. Grains of sands are heated by the scorching sun and tightly pressed together and lastly formed into a hard shape of stone. The word opal is originated from Sanskrit word 'Upal'. This gemstone is very much brittle and it can not endure heat.

Opals are found in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Libya and Australia. Presently, the main source of Opals is Australia. Opal mines of Australia’s New South Wales and Queen’s Land are two interesting tourist spots. Other two major places where Opals are available are Honduras and Mexico. Besides, in many other places, Opals are available. Australian Opals are of excellent quality and the brightest.

The Reballing Opal weighing 530 grams, which has a wonderful colouring flash of light, found in America’s Nevada, is jet black in colour and now preserved in Washington’s National Natural History Museum.

An Opal gemstone known as “Anda Mukar Moru Mashal (a torch of the darkest desert) was sold at One million U.S dollar.

Usefulness: As use of this gemstone brings overall good to the wearer, ancient kings and emperors used this gemstone with much care. Queen Victoria of England was very much fond of this gemstone. Beautiful ladies are also found of this gemstone. Opal is second to none in controlling one’s strong passion and excitement.

In horoscope, Opal is very much resultant as moon and as a stone for the Venus. Wearing an Opal helps one get victory over one’s enemy or keep one’s enemy far away, bring success in one’s actions, ensure peace of mind and it ensures one’s sound health. The medieval age’s writers considered Opal as heaven gemstone. It is learnt that opal has a good influence on vision power.