Opal History
Dreamtime Legend
Numerous legends and tales surround this colourful gemstone, which can be traced back in its origins to a time long before our memory, to the ancient dream time of the Australian aborigines. It is reported in their legends that the creator came down to Earth on a rainbow, in order to bring the message of peace to all the humans. And at the very spot, where his foot touched the ground, the stones became alive and started sparkling in all the colours of the rainbow. That was the birth of the Opals.
Origins of the Name
The name Opal was probably derived from Sanskrit "upala", meaning "valuable stone". This was probably the root for the Greek term "opallios", which translates as "colour change". In the days of Roman antiquity there existed a so-called "opalus", or a "stone from several elements". So the ancient Romans may already have had an inkling why the Opals show such a striking play of colours. But we will come to this later
Pliny, the famous Roman author, called Opal a gemstone which combines the best possible characteristics of the most beautiful of gemstones: the fine sparkle of Almandine, the shining purple of Amethyst, the golden yellow of Topaz, and the deep blue of Sapphire, "so that all colours shine and sparkle together in a beautiful combination".
Up to the first half of the 19th century, Opals were relatively rare. But then their career boomed suddenly and made them one of the most popular gemstones, and the start of this development brought them to the gemstone cutters of the gemstone centre of Idar-Oberstein. In the era of Art Deco the Opals experienced their flourishing, with contemporary gemstone artists preferring them to all other stones because of their subdued charm, which in turn was excellently suited to be combined with enamel, another very popular material of those days.
Geology
The history of Australian Opal began actually millions of years ago, when parts of Australia were covered by a vast inland sea, and stone sediment was deposited along its shoreline. When the water masses flooded back, they flushed water containing silica into the resulting cavities and niches in the sedimentary rocks, and also the remains of plants and animals were deposited there. Slowly the silica stone transformed into Opal, for basically Opals are simply a combination of silica and water. Or, to be more precise: Opals are a gel from silica, with varying percentages of water.
About early opal pioneers
Australia noted for its magnificent black opals. Fire opals were first mined in Mexico, and continue to be produced today. In the United States, brilliant fire opals are also found in Nevada. Other commercial sources of opal are Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Japan and Ireland.
To ancient Romans Orientals called it the "anchor of hope." 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.
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.
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.
In Elizabethan England, the opal was treasured for its beauty. Shakespeare wrote of it in the Twelfth Night as the "queen of gems." Queen Victoria presented her children with opal jewelry, thus making the the stone popular.
Opals were probably first mined around 4000 B.C. in Ethiopia, but their popularity did not grow until the Romans embraced them around 100 B.C. By then, the majority of opals were mined in Hungary. For over a 1,000 years Hungary supplied European rulers and churchmen with the treasure of opals. During that time powers good and bad were attributed to opals.
In 1829, Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel, Anne of Geierstein. The public misread the story and assumed the opal caused misfortune to come upon the heroine. This reinforced the idea of opals being bad luck, and the opal market dropped in the aftermath.
At the same time, Australian opals began appearing in the market, but dealers were hesitant because the Australian opals were much more brilliant and some assumed they were fakes. Queen Victoria fell in love with these gems and her passion helped restore opals as a popular stone. By the turn of the century, Australia had become the world’s primary supplier of opals.
October birthstones -- OPAL 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.
Precious opal has been known from ancient times. It is a valuable raw material for use in jewellery. On the world market, the price of the precious opal continuously increases with time. The old European opal mines are now depleted, and the main supplier of the precious opal to world markets is Australia.
Mosaic and Chip Opals - are a composition of small flat or irregularly shaped pieces of natural opal cemented as a mosaic tile on a dark base material or encompassed in a resin. Synthetic Opal Synthetic Opal is material which has essentially the same chemical composition and physical structure as natural opal but has been made by laboratory or industrial process. Synthetic composites exist as synthetic doublets, triplets or mosaics and must be disclosed as synthetic composites. Imitation Opal Imitation Opal is material which imitates the play-of-colour of natural opal, but does not have the same physical and chemical structure or gemmological constants as natural opal. Classification Reports Classification reports for the following types of opal should include these details: Natural Opal Type of opal Variety of opal as Black opal, Dark opal or Light opal with a body classification from N1 (Black) to N9 (White) based on the AGIA Body Tone Chart. Transparency as opaque, translucent or transparent.
Note if it is crystal opal. Weight and dimensions Treated Opal Type of opal Variety of opal as Black, Dark or Light opal Transparency as opaque, translucent or transparent. Note if it is crystal opal. Type of Treatment and process if known Weight and dimensions Composite Opal Type of composite as doublet, triplet, mosaic or chip opal Treatment process, where relevant Dimensions Synthetic and Imitation Gemmological category including manufacturer (if known) Description (Body Tone) If composite, mention type as doublet, triplet, mosaic or chip Weight and dimensions, only dimensions if composite Origin Any indication of the origin of opal by the use of geographical location should not be used unless it is qualified as an indication of the type of locality only as recommended by the International Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones (CIBJO) such as Lightning Ridge type black opal. References Simon R Pecover Managing Director Opal Ventures NL 1999 The new Syntectonic model of the Origin to explain the formation of Opal Veins, Breccia pipes and Faults at Lightning Ridge.Australian Opal and Gem Industry Association PTY LTD Len Cram 1998 A Journey in Colour A History of Queensland Opal 1869-1979
In the spectrum of gemstones that display special optical effects, few materials can rival the pre-eminence of natural black opal for variety and beauty. This material exhibits a broad spectrum of color that changes as impinging light plays off the regimented layers of sub-microscopic spheres that form the basic structure of opal. In the best examples, dramatic splashes of color are juxtapositioned like puzzle pieces producing a wide range of patterns. Although some combinations are spectacular, others are more subdued, but all are always interesting because of the exceptional range of possibilities. The finest BLACK OPAL in the world comes from Lightning Ridge Australia in New South Wales. It is the RAREST of all opals and can sell for millions of dollars or more. The Red Multicolored form of black opal is the most prized ! Black Opal also comes in a "crystal form" but very dark background usually solid color, it may not have any solid black backing visible - in some cases may be double sided color. When held up to light you may be able to see through it thus "crystal".
The word "opal" may have several origins. There are 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", "paederes", meaning both "child" and "favourite" and as "opalus". Whatever the actual name origin, opal has been a favoured, valued stone throughout a long period of history. Opal is a gemstone that ranges from semi-transparent to opaque. Its body color covers a broad spectrum of colors, but is mostly prized for what is known as "play of color," the ability to reflect and refract light into flashes of multiple colors. Historically, opal was considered a lucky charm that brought beauty, success and happiness to its wearer. Scandinavian women wore opals as hair ornaments to prevent their blonde locks from going gray. The Arabs thought that opal would ward off lightning and give a cloak of invisibility to its wearer when desired. It was supposed to grant vigor, aid the heart and kidneys and protect against fainting and infection. Opals were also mined by eastern Europeans, the Aztecs of Central America, and ancient tribes in Central Africa. The Romans believed it was the symbol of hope and purity. They called opal "Cupid Paederos" (a child beautiful as love).
As well as being a universal good luck charm, it was considered as a preventative medicine against any eye disease, to have aphrodisiacal qualities, not to mention having the capability of bringing great wealth to its owner. An opal was featured in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor, and is still among the crown jewels of France. Napoleon gave Josephine an opal, and Queen Victoria was known to give them out as wedding presents. The Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning, and that's how they received their fiery color. Opals are mentioned in the plays of Shakespeare and the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Several opals are worthy of mention, including the 77-carat opal of Louis XVIII, kept in the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, and the 203-carat opal presented by the Australian government to Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1954. In addition to its place as Octobers' birthstone, opal is also a recommended gift for couples celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. Opal was discovered in Australia, initially about 1849 at a cattle station called Tarrawilla, near Angaston some 80km outside Adelaide, however Australian opal did not appear on the world market until the 1890s. Around that time, opal was found in White Cliffs and around 1900 in Lightning Ridge, then Coober Pedy. Prior to the emergence of Australian opal on the market, opal was sourced in Hungary and South America. Consequently, the Hungarian mines promoted the idea that Australian opal was not genuine, probably because gems with such brilliant colour had not been seen before. 200 years of Gem Mining The history of gem mining in New South Wales is closely bound with the history of gold mining Up until the first New South Wales gold rush in 1851 the economy of the colony was slow to develop. There was simply not a lot of money to be spent on luxuries like gems and jewels. But with the enormous and sudden wealth created by the discovery of gold, luxuries became more commonplace.
There was now an incentive for prospectors and miners to look for gems. Gold mining also aided the discovery of gem deposits. The first discovery of diamonds and sapphires in New South Wales occurred in the same alluvial beds that prospectors were scouring for gold. The gems were a by product of gold mining. Gem Mining Time Line 1851 The first gold rush in New South Wales. Sapphires are discovered in the Macquarie River and the Cudgegong River. It is reported that diamonds have been found in Reedy Creek and the Turon River near Bathurst. However there are doubts about this discovery as the stones may not have been correctly identified. 1851-1853 Topaz is found in the Cudgegong River and the Castlereagh River. 1853 The discovery of sapphires is reported at Broken Hill. Hyalite is discovered near Cookabiandi in the Namoi River area. Hyalite is also know as Mullers glass. It is a transparent and colourless opal that looks like glass, although sometimes it is slightly coloured. 1860 The first confirmed discovery of diamonds - at the Macquarie River, Pyramul Creek and Caloola Creek. Emerald discoveries are reported in several gold fields. 1867 Diamonds are discovered at Two Mile Flat on the Cudgegong River, near Mudgee. Diamonds are discovered at Bingara. 1868 Diamond mining begins at the Reedy Creek-Cudgegong River junction, continuing to 1870. 1869 Sapphires are discovered near Gulgong. 1872-1873 There is a diamond "rush" to the Bingara area, with mining continuing until 1904 and 1909. 1872-1875 The discovery of diamonds in the Copeton area triggers another "rush". Mining continues until about 1922. 1876 Diamonds are discovered at the mouth of the Muckerawa Creek. 1877 Mining for precious opal in igneous rocks begins at Rocky Bridge Creek, a tributary of the Abercrombie River, in the Central West. Precious opal has the characteristic "play of colours". It has been found in volcanic rock, filling cavities in basalt, but this type of opal tends to be less valuable than that found in sedimentary rocks. 1880 Topaz is reported in the Glen Innes area. 1881 Opal is discovered at Milparinka, near Tibooburra in the Far West.
Precious opal in sedimentary rocks forms when silica gathers in veins, fractures and other voids - and sometimes as replacement of organic materials (wood, shells, even bones). 1883 Diamond mining from deep leads begins at Copeton, continuing until 1922. 1884 Diamonds are reported in the Mittagong area. Opal is discovered in sedimentary rock at White Cliffs in the Far West. 1889 Precious opal is discovered at White Cliffs. 1880s or 1891 Opal is discovered in sedimentary rock at Lightning Ridge (Wallangulla) and other localities in the area, but its commercial value is not recognised. 1890 Precious opal mining begins at White Cliffs (continuing to 1915 then going into decline). Small-scale diamond mining begins near Narrabri (with some production to 1902). 1890-1891 Sapphires are discovered in the Wingecarribee River (with topaz etc). 1894 Non-alluvial or "hard roc" emerald is discovered at Emmaville and mined intermittently to 1908-1909. 1896 Opal is discovered at Purnanga and Grenville-Bunker Field. These occurrences are near White Cliffs and so extend the size of that opal-bearing district. 1897 Opal is discovered in igneous rock at Tooraweenah, near Coonabarabran. A few diamonds are discovered at Mount McDonald (Abercrombie River).
1901 Opal is discovered in igneous rock at Tintenbar, on the Far North Coast. 1901-1905 Opal mining begins at Lightning Ridge - a good example of how small-scale mining operations can support a remote population centre - in this case a centre which produces some of the most famous (and valuable) opal in the world: the black opal. The first shaft was put down around 1901 or 1902 by Jack Murray, a boundary rider who lived on a property nearby. Some time later, possibly a few months, a miner from Bathurst named Charlie Nettleton arrived and commenced shaft sinking. It was he who in 1903 sold the first parcel of gems from the field for $30, not a fiftieth of the price that could have been obtained five years later. 1908 Opal mining begins at the Grawin-Sheepyard Field in the Lightning Ridge area, increasing the importance of the opal fields in the district. 1916 Diamond mining begins again near the Reedy Creek-Cudgegong River junction. 1919 Sapphire mining begins at Sapphire. Opal mining begins at Tintenbar, continuing to 1922. Sapphire mining begins near Inverell and Glen Innes and Tingha continuing, in the first instance, to about 1929. 1920 The Newfield opal area is discovered. 1930s Gold and diamond deposits are worked at Airly Mountain, near Lithgow, during the Depression - with irregular operations to 1963 and again to the 1980s. 1950 Dredging for diamonds (during gold operations) occurs along the Macquarie River near Wellington (until 1958). 1960 Spectacular growth in sapphire mining begins around Inverell and Glen Innes, continuing to 1980. 1985 Seminal work by the Geological Survey of New South Wales leads to better, more scientifically controlled exploration for opals. 1989 The Coocoran opal area is discovered in the Lightning Ridge district. 1994-1995 Minor sapphire production occurs in the Oberon district. 1995 The value of New South Wales annual sapphire production peaks at $11.4 million. New South Wales is a major world producer of sapphires. 1995-1996 The value of New South Wales opal production reaches an annual level of about $70 million. New South Wales (and Australia) is a leading world producer of opals. 1998-1999 The estimated value of opal production in the State is about $44 million.