Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Beauty Within Opals




Opals are absolutely one of the most beautiful gemstones on this earth with their unique rainbow iridescence which changes depending on the angle their viewed from and direction of natural sunlight--this is also known as opalescence.

A mineral by the name of cristobalite is layered within siliceous jelly which causes these vibrant flashes of color. When light hits the opals, watch out, because what radiates outward can be an electric light show.

Opals contain water and some can contain as much as 30%. If there is water loss, then the opalescence will no longer be visible. That is why it is best to store opals very carefully. Some people store it with a damp piece of cotton.

There are many different classifications of opals - white, black, matrix, fire to name a few. Each one has their own unique characteristic beauty.

It is written in mythology that Zeus 's tears contained in Opals after his victory from the Titans.

Opals are considered a lucky stone by many, it is seen as a symbol fo etenal hope.

On the Moh's scale of hardness, it is ranked at 5 1/2 -6 1/2. They are very sensitive if they are knocked or hit against something--wear them cautiously.
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