A variety and other names of opal are harlequin, hydrophane, royal opal, dzhirazol, hyalit, gazisol.
Opal is a stone of deceptive hopes. It is believed that opal supports both the good talents of the owner, and evil talents. Some he pushes to forbidden entertainment, while others, on the contrary, keep from whim and passion. A person who wears opal, in order not to become a toy in the hands of fate, should devote himself entirely to the sole purpose. If the owner is noble and decent, then he will ensure his success in his affairs.
Opal will help in the treatment of heart disease, help women in childbirth, protect against plague and infectious diseases. According to the recommendations of Ayurvedic doctors opal should be worn on the right index finger in a gold frame.
Jasper opal to its owner will bring humility and modesty. Fire opal protects its owner from natural disasters. It is necessary to wear opal in a silver frame, and best of all, in the form of a keychain.
Place of Birth. In the Australian deposits were produced the largest different color opals. The largest sized 23 centimeters by 12 centimeters and weighed 5270 grams - it's 26,350 carats. At the time of publishing information about the find, the stone was not processed (in May 1990).
In Australia in 1909, in one of the opal mines, a reptile skeleton was found that looked like a snake. The size of this skeleton was small, only 15 centimeters in length, and the skeleton was completely opalized. The skeleton was well preserved, all the details were from opal with a magnificent color scheme. And a lover of rarities immediately bought an opal snake.
Brazil also holds great opals. For example, in 1998, when two farm laborers were digging up a field for planting corn, they found a large opal that weighed 4300 grams - 21500 carats, it was estimated at 60 thousand dollars, and this is an approximate cost.
Applications. Noble opals are used in jewelry production. The noble opals are distinguished by their iridescent color play.
In nature there are several types of noble opal:
"Royal" opal has a multicolored mosaic pattern and opalescence;
"Black" opal has shades of purple, green, blue, burgundy colors with red glimpses;
"White" opal has light-blue opalescence, translucent;
"Lehos-opal" is encountered with playing different shades of green, as well as carmine;
"Fire" opal has a yellow or red color with fiery flashes;
"Girazol" is a blue or colorless stone with opalescence in red shades.
Therapeutic and magical properties of opal
Medical properties. Our ancestors used both opal and water on it to treat infectious diseases, heart diseases. It is believed that opal will help cure nerve diseases, relieve nightmares, withdraw from a depressed state, cure insomnia, and remove post-stress consequences. To wear opal follows and for the prevention of catarrhal diseases.
Among the people there is an opinion that to improve eyesight, reduce eye pressure, you need to look every day at the stone for a few minutes.
In some countries, it is believed that opal cures infertility, so it is recommended to wear it to those women who can not become pregnant.
Magical properties. Since ancient times, the magical properties of opal are known. Almost all over the face of the Earth, mages used opal, as a guard against the evil eye, black witchcraft, blows of fate.
In the East, opal was considered an amulet, which had a vocation to protect happiness and love.
Opal can protect its owner from theft, epidemics, lightning and fire. Some believe that black opal can harm weakly people, since it increases the craving for forbidden pleasures. It is also believed that the opal of its owner can "reward" fear of the dark.
White opals, on the contrary, can strengthen the spiritual principle, give the master harmony with the world around him and peace.
In some European countries it is believed that the stone more helps talented people, thereby developing their abilities.
Opal, set in gold, doubles its magical properties.
Pisces, that's who favor favor. To some of them he will give the ability to perceive danger in advance. Scorpions will also opal opal.
Talismans and amulets. Talisman with opal is ideal for talented people and practicing magicians. White opal, trimmed in a gold ring, is a talisman of medical workers. Black opal, trimmed in a gold ring, is a talisman of magicians.
Opal was highly valued by our ancestors in antiquity. The demand for mineral was higher than supply.
Pliny told the story of how the oppression of the Nonnius Roman senator aroused envy of Emperor Antonius. But the senator refused to sell his opal, and then the emperor ordered the expulsion of the senator. The senator chose to keep the opal, and left Rome, leaving a place in the senate.
Before the second century, physicians were attributed to the ability to prevent heart disease, stimulate cardiac activity, prevent syncope, improve poor vision, and save from tumors.
Owners of white hair woven opal beads in their hair, so as not to get discouraged, and so that hair does not darken.
Closer to the 11th century, the opal gradually degenerates from a favorable stone into an unhappy stone. And, most likely, not without the help of cutters and jewelers, as they did not like opal for its fragility.