I thought I'd do something different on the blog today and celebrate Shakespeare day. As you can see from the quote above I've decided to write a post about a precious gem stone which like Shakespeare is one I personally love, the opal.
Shakespeare called them 'the Queen of Gems' and it's not hard to see why.
They come in every colour and sparkle beautifully when polished into a cabochon to set in jewellery, which is how they would normally be set.
According to history it's believed opal was first mined in the virgin valley, North America, over 10000 years ago. Although in modern times it's mainly from Hungary, South America and Australia.
Australia is the main world market for opals and has even adopted it as its national stone of the country. 95% of opals come from Australia and come in all colours and sizes, including the worlds largest opal called the 'Olympic Australis' which was found in August 1956 in Coober Pedy. It weighs 17,000 carats (3450g) and is 11inches long and 4.75 inches in height.
My own favourite type of opal is the fire opals mined in Mexico, South America. Fire opals are a blend of warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows. I think they look stunning and I'd love to own one.
Other types of opal include milk opals which are blue to green colours, resin opal which is yellows, wood opal which is caused by the replacement of organic material in wood and is brown or grey in colour.
Of course the most well known type of opal is the common opal.
Through out history the Opal has been revered and fears among people. The Greeks thought opals where the tears of the King of gods, Zeus. Who cried with happy when he defeated the Titans, his tears where thought to turn to opals upon hitting the ground.
The Romans thought they would bring them great fortunes when worn and the Arabs thought they where associated with lightening. Believing that the flashes of lightening where what gave the opal it's colours.
However the middles ages the gem had fallen out of favour. It became associated with the the Black Death and it was believed that it had had something to do with pestilence, famine and the fall of monarchies. It was said at the point of death a opal would lose its colour when the wearer died.
The word opal is debated over but it's believed to be from the Roman term opalus.
Opal is the birthstone for people born in October under the signs of Scorpio and libra.
Fashion Magpie Jewellery Blog is a celebration of antique and handcrafted jewellery, with regular featured items from my shop, antique jewellery showcase, interviews, reviews and tutorials.
