Opal

Opal is the birthstone for October and is hydrated silica, which is a hardened gel of silica and water. It has a hardness of 4 ½ – 6 ½. The name opal comes from the Sanskrit word upala or Greek opalios which means “gem” or “precious stone”. Opal is available in clear, white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Opal is considered “The stone of lovers and artists”; it has been associated with love, hope and desire. Opal is Australia’s national gemstone. The majority of the world’s opal is found in Australia however it is also found in Brazil, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, the United States and Zimbabwe.

Opal is considered “The stone of lovers and artists”; it has been associated with love, hope and desire, aids in restoring harmony on all levels, opens one to spontaneity of action and decisions, helps one to understand forces of mysticism, intuition and shamanism.

Opal aids in restoring harmony on all levels, opens one to spontaneity of action and decisions, helps one to understand forces of mysticism, intuition and shamanism.
Some of its physical healing properties include promoting clarity of sight, helping purify blood, and relieving fatigue and is often used in childbirth to reduce the effects of pain.

Emotional properties: It opens one to balance and clarity in the decision making process, provides faith in oneself and helps one to release old patterns of being and embrace ones true nature.