Pink Opal

Pink Opal - a true opal, Peruvian pink opal is a beautiful pastel pink, nealry translucent variety of opal. Pink opal is most often associated as a gemstone of love and non-violence.

The name opal is derived from the Sanskrit word "upala," as well as the Latin "opalus," meaning "precious stone." Opal is a gemstone of much variety. Opals also have characteristic colors due to impurities within the stone. The milky or pearly appearance of some opals is due to inclusions of tiny gas bubbles.

Most opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It's also the birthstone for October.

The Romans had been wearing precious opals for centuries and it was second only to the emerald in value. The Romans considered them a symbol of hope and purity, also revering it as a powerful aid to prophecy. While for the early Greek, they embodied the powers of foresight and prophecy. Arabs say it fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. It was believed to make its wearer invisible, hence the opal was the talisman of thieves and spies. The Russians, on other hand, viewed opal as nothing but bad luck.

During the Medieval period, a change in color intensity of an opal was believed to indicated if its wearer was ill or in good health. The opal was supposed to maintain a strong heart, prevent fainting, protect against infection, and cleanse foul-smelling air. The stone, as in ancient times, was still regarded as a symbol of hope. Opal also was called ophthalmios, or "eye stone," due to a widespread belief that it helped eyesight. Blond women wore opal necklaces to protect their hair from losing its color.

But the opal's reputation changed in the mid-14th century. The Black Death swept across Europe, killing one quarter of its population. The gem was believed to be the cause of death. When worn by someone struck with the deadly plague, it would appear brilliant only until the person died. Then it would change in appearance, losing its luster. In reality, it was the sensitivity of this stone to changes in temperature that altered its appearance, as the heat from a burning fever gave way to the chill of death.

Today, the gemstone is believed to aid in the healing of eye diseases, and if a person is ill, it is believed to lose all color to the wearer. It is also said to soothe the eyes and the nerves, and might enhance creativity. Most opal comes from Australia, and additionally from Mexico, Peru and the U.S.A.




Glossary