Nature's Fireworks - A Beginner's Guide to OPAL - Part 1

It is hoped that by reading the information contained within, you will have a better understanding of where opal comes from, how it is mined, and the value and various types of opal available to the collector, investor, or those who just want a better understanding of these fascinating stones.

There are over 100 different types of opal being mined around the world, with each type being unique to the area it came from and no two opals alike. I have attempted to include the most common types available to you as a buyer.

Myths, Legends and Folklore

Opal has been treasured throughout history from the early Aztecs and Romans to Queen Victoria, who loved opals so much that she gave them away as wedding presents. They have adorned the crowns of the Holy Roman Emperor, and are set in the crown jewels of France. Josephine was given an opal with brilliant red flashes called 'The Burning of Troy' by Napoleon. Roman historian Pliny described the beauty of opals as the combination of the beauty of all gems.

'Natures Fireworks' and 'The Queen of Gems' are some of the superlatives that have been used to describe opal. The word itself ' 'opal' ' may have several origins and differing suggestions as to its first use: One is that it comes from a Sanskrit word 'upala,' simply meaning 'precious stone.' Another is that the Romans knew it by different names ' 'opthalmus,' from the Greek word for 'eye,' and 'paederes,' meaning both 'child and 'favourite.' Whatever the actual name origin; opal has been a favoured, valued stone throughout a long period of history.

The Australian Aboriginals believe that they have lived in Australia since the Dreamtime, the beginning of all creation. Over time, their culture has produced a rich variety of mythologies in hundreds of different languages. To the Aborigines, opals, like other minerals, have a spiritual value because they represent something a Dreaming ancestor left behind as a sign of their presence. The aboriginal Wangkumara tribe recount a legend of how their people gained fire from opal stones, with the assistance of a Muda ' a creator who switches from human form to pelican:

"Long, long ago the Wangkumara people decided to send a pelican (Muda) to explore the Northern Territory, so he could return and tell them what was there. After a time, while still in Queensland, the pelican felt ill and landed on top of a hill. While resting, the pelican observed the ground beneath him, amazed by its magnificent array of colours. Being curious he began to peck at the coloured stones with his beak. Suddenly, a spark flew out and lit dry grass nearby. The flames rose and spread across long distances, approaching a group of Wangkumara who were camped near by. The people ......