Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Opal Legends of Australian Aborigines

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by Angela Magnotti Andrews Over 95% of our modern supply of opals is found in the wilds of Australia. Here, opal gemstone legends come alive in the spiritual practice of the Aborigines.

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Australian Opal Legends

In one such legend, a young boy plants his staff in the ground. While he eats his lunch, the staff solidifies into opal. In another account, opals are said to have flown from the end of a firestick. This firestick was being tossed about by a bronze-winged pigeon. In another, opal was birthed from the footstep of the Creator. And in other stories, some specimens of opal represent the transformed organs of the Ancestral Beings.

 

The Dreaming

The indigenous people of Australia carry their vast history in a collection of stories. The legends and wisdom (law) of the ancients has been passed down orally from generation to generation. The Dreaming is a recurring part of that history. It refers to the time when Ancestral Beings roamed the earth to establish life. These beings are said to have created the animals, plants, and rocks. They are also credited with establishing the connections between all these life forms. When they were finished with their work, these Ancestral Spirits shifted shape. They became trees, stars, rocks, and sacred sites such as watering holes. To find these sacred sites is to preserve them. The Aborigines revere them as the link between the past, the present, and the future. It is said that some of the Australian opals were formed from the organs of those Ancestral Beings. All opal is approached with mystery and power. However, these sacred opals are believed to harness a greater measure of power and mystery. They were left behind as a sign and a remembrance to those who would come later.

The Birth of Opals

Other Australian opal legends include the story of their birth. This story is reported to be a part of The Dreaming, as well. In this account, the Creator visited humanity with a message of peace. He is said to have traveled on the arc of a rainbow. The moment His foot touched ground, the stones beneath his feet sparked to life. In a cascade of rainbow colors, opals were born. In all of these opal legends, the magnificence and import of opals shine through. Opals are said to bring happiness and good dreams. They are believed to bring hope and stir emotions of loyalty, love, and connection.

Notes

  1. Australian Government. "The Dreaming." Accessed October 21, 2014. http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/dreaming.
  2. Hatchman, Peter. "History of Opal," Opals on Black website. Accessed October 21, 2014. http://www.opals-on-black.com/HistoryOfOpal.html.
  3. Our Pacific Ocean. "Australia Aboriginal Mythology 1." Accessed October 21, 2014. http://www.ourpacificocean.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology1/index1.htm.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Jelly Opal History and Characteristics

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This gorgeous Victorian-Era Jelly Opal Locket is exquisitely made. It features an ornate frame made from solid 14k gold. The detailed setting includes traditional gold work, including milgrain and granulation. The back of this locket has a space for a photo. It currently holds a black onyx tablet. A single multi-colored jelly opal cabochon with broad flash of fire and very strong brilliance graces the center of this locket.

What is Opal?

Opal is considered a mineraloid. This means that it does not form with a solid crystal structure and does not have a rigid chemical composition. This range of chemical compositions allows for many different types of opals, including jelly opals. Among the many different types of opals, black opals, harlequin opals, and fire opals are among the most desirable for jewelry. However, white, semi-black, and jelly opals are extremely popular. Though they are lower in price, they still generate the beautiful play of colors that makes opals so spectacular.

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Opals formed long ago when solutions of silicone dioxide and water ran over the surface of the earth. As this liquid moved across the earth, it picked up silica from sandstone. This silica-laden solution pooled in cracks and fissures carved out by decomposing fossils, volcanic activity, and erosion. The water eventually evaporated from these pools, leaving behind layers of silica. Over time, as the cycle repeated itself again and again, nobby rough opals formed in these crevices and cracks. According to Opals Down Under, today's opals are found in "wild and unruly places surrounded by a moonscape of mullock humps where people fight against horrendous climate conditions in their search for precious gemstones" {7}. This quote refers to those found in Australia. However, opals are also found around the world in crevices, cracks, stalactites, stalagmites, and in the hollowed-out spaces left by disintegrated fossils. Gemstone-quality opal (precious opal) w as originally found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mines in these locations continued to produce the world's supply of opal until 1922, when the mines began to run dry. Around that same time, opals were discovered in Australia. Today, approximately 97% of the world's precious opals come from Australia, where opal is the national gemstone.

What is Jelly Opal?

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Jelly Opal is a transparent precious opal with a gelatinous appearance. Characteristically, these beautiful gems have a bluish sheen. However, the play of color within them will include yellows, greens, pinks, oranges, and sometimes bright reds. Jelly Opals are darker in appearance than crystal opals. Today, these beautiful stones are often found alongside black opal in the Lightning Ridge mines of Australia {4}. However, Victorian-Era Jelly Opals, such as the one pictured here, would likely have been found in the Czech mines. Jelly Opals are more transparent than other types of opal. Therefore, the play of color acts differently. The color rolls through the stone rather than appearing in shifting patches. As with all types of opals, Jelly Opals display more color when they are slightly warmed by nearness to the skin.  Take a look at our terrific selection of Opal Jewelry, with black jelly crystal and all types of opal rings.

Notes

  1. AJS Gems. "Opal Gemstone Information." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.ajsgem.com/gemstone-information/opal-95.html.
  2. Collector's Weekly. "Opal Jewelry." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/fine-jewelry/opals.
  3. Eckert, Allan W. The World of Opals. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
  4. Gemstone Co., The. "Buying Guide: Opal." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://thegemstoneco.com/buying-guide/opal.
  5. Geology.com. "What is Opal?" Accessed October 18, 2014. http://geology.com/gemstones/opal/.
  6. Opals Down Under. "How is Opal Formed? - the Geology of Opal." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/advanced/how-opal-formed-geology-opal.
  7. Opals Down Under. "Australian Opal Mining Fields." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/intermediate/australian-opal-mining-fields.