Opal Meaning and Symbolism: The Lore Behind the Stone
Opals are a mysterious gemstone known for their unique color play and polarizing symbolism. Some believe opals are the epitome of good luck, bringing the gift of foresight and protection to wearers. Others consider the gem cursed and a magnet for misfortune, perhaps due to a misunderstood literary reference.
Whatever you believe, it’s clear that opals have a superstitious hold on the gem world. Read our blog to learn about the lore behind opals, their cultural significance, and lesser-known fun facts!
Looking for opal jewelry to complete your look? Forsythe Jewelers has several opal pieces to fit any occasion!
What Are Opal Gemstones?
Opals are a type of hydrated silica, prized for their distinctive play-of-color—a phenomenon where vibrant flashes of color appear on the stone’s surface as it catches the light. This optical effect, known as “opalescence,” makes each opal unique, with patterns and colors that range from fiery reds and oranges to cool blues and greens.
Opals rank between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them relatively soft and delicate compared to other gemstones. Due to their high water content, opals are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause them to crack or lose their luster. This fragility requires special care to maintain their beauty over time.
Opal Meaning Across Cultures
Opals have long been associated with several meanings and beliefs, varying across cultures and eras. In Western cultures, opals were thought to encompass the virtues of all gems due to their iridescence. They’re connected to purity, confidence, love, passion, and forms of vision (e.g., premonition, insight, and creativity).
Additionally, opals are considered the original October birthstone before the National Association of Jewelers released a new list replacing several gems with transparent counterparts in 1912.
Opals play a prominent role in other cultures, too:
Ancient Greece and Rome: The Greeks and Romans believed opals were connected to various deities. One popular Greek origin story states opals were Zeus’ crystalized tears after he struck down his father to defeat the Titans. Falling from the heavens, the gemstone captured the rainbow colors within its shape.
Like emeralds, the Romans associated opals with Venus and Cupid, believing the stone to symbolize rekindling love. As such, the gem was a popular accessory for the wealthy. The Latin term cupid paederos commonly translates to “Cupid’s stone,” but other translations include “a child beautiful as love.”Arabia: Arabian myths suggest that opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning, which is why the stones shimmer with a rainbow of colors.
Australia: Opals are deeply significant in Aboriginal Australian culture, where they are believed to hold spiritual energy. According to Aboriginal legend, the Creator came down to Earth on a rainbow, and when His foot touched the ground, the stones beneath began to sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow, creating opals.
Medieval Europe: In the Middle Ages, people attributed magical powers to opals, believing the stone brought wearers good luck. They often used them in amulets and protective talismans. One myth stated holding an opal wrapped in a fresh bay leaf would render the holder invisible. As a result, they gained a popular reputation as the patron gemstone of thieves, robbers, and spies.
Do Opals Bring Bad Luck? The Manufactured Myths
You may have heard that it’s unlucky to receive opals as a gift and that engagement rings should never contain opals to avoid death. But how can a gemstone—which originally symbolized love, foresight, and introspection—also earn a reputation for causing misfortune?
The Black Plague & Novelization
During the Black Plague (1347–1351), a rumor arose that a person’s opal would lose its luster after they died. The most likely reason was that the wearers stopped caring for the opal jewelry as their health declined, but the superstition persisted well into the 18th and 19th centuries.
Novelist Sir Walter Scott played on this trope in his serial novel Anne of Geierstein. Published in 1829, the story featured a character who wore a magical opal talisman that could change color depending on her disposition. Toward the end of the book, the opal comes into contact with a single drop of holy water, which drains the gemstone of its color and instantly turns the bearer to dust.
It’s worth noting that novels were published as chapters at the time, so readers may have stopped reading before the final chapters revealed the cause of death to be poison. Regardless, the superstition persisted, and opal sales dropped for the next few decades as the stone fell out of favor.
Superstitious Royals
It didn’t help that stories arose about King Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885) who received an opal ring from his scorned mistress Comtesse de Castiglione as a wedding gift. Allegedly, Alfonso’s wife Mercedes of Orleans wore the ring before quickly dying of a mysterious illness. The ring then passed to the king’s grandmother Queen Christiana, his sister-in-law, and finally the king himself, each bearer suffering the same fate.
In reality, the royals probably succumbed to various illnesses. Historians generally agree that Queen Mercedes likely died of misdiagnosed appendicitis while King Alfonso XII died of tuberculosis and dysentery.
Rumors From Diamond Dealers
At the start of the 20th century, diamonds gained popularity in the U.S. as the “it” jewel, but they faced some competition as the growing opal market flooded into the U.S. and Europe.
Diamond dealers started highly successful marketing campaigns that both established diamonds as a coveted gemstone and smeared opals as unlucky. One rumor embellished the fact that opals can crack when they dry out, noting that cracked gems are unlucky. Of course, this tied in well with promoting diamonds since the gems do not break easily.
While diamonds continue to persist as the gemstone of choice, opals have since regained their value for their unique beauty.
The History of Opals
Opals have a rich history, with the earliest known sources dating back to 4000 BC in what is now Slovakia. The stone was highly valued in ancient civilizations, with opals being traded along the Silk Road and used in jewelry and decorative objects.
The most famous historical source of opals was Hungary, which was the primary supplier of opals to Europe for centuries. However, in the 19th century, vast opal deposits were discovered in Australia, which quickly became the world’s leading source of the gemstone. Australian opals, particularly black opals from Lightning Ridge, are now considered some of the finest in the world.
7 Fun Facts About Opals
The word “opal” is thought to come from the Latin word “opalus,” which is likely derived from the Sanskrit “úpala” meaning “precious stone.”
Australia is the largest exporter of opals. It’s no wonder the opal is Australia’s national gemstone.
An opal’s play-of-color is caused by light diffracting through tiny silica spheres within the stone. The size and arrangement of these spheres determine the colors seen in the opal.
Queen Victoria of Britain loved opals, gifting pieces featuring the gemstone to her daughters and loved ones. Her vast opal jewelry collection helped revive the stone’s popularity in the 19th century.
Primarily found in Mexico, fire opals are known for their vivid orange, red, or yellow hues rather than a signature play-of-color. They’re highly prized for their fiery appearance.
One of the most famous opals is the Andamooka Opal, presented to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Australia in 1954. The stone is known for its striking play-of-color and large size.
In 2008, NASA's Mars Rover discovered opal deposits on Mars, suggesting that the Red Planet once had liquid water, essential for the formation of opals.
Find Opal Jewelry at Forsythe Jewelers
Opals are not only stunningly beautiful but also steeped in history and symbolism. Their unique play-of-color and rich cultural significance make them a cherished gemstone for any jewelry collection. If you’re curious about opals, visit Forsythe Jewelers in Pittsford, NY, to view our opal jewelry collection and experience the allure yourself!
As mysterious as they are playful and elegant, opals are layered with symbolism. Their incredible play-of-color and unique look make them highly coveted for jewelry pieces. If you’re interested in finding a one-of-a-kind piece, book an appointment with Forsythe Jewelers to explore our opal jewelry collection!
