Pink opal: a mesmerizing design on a delicate background

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Pink opal is one of the gems that has been popular for many centuries. It is classified as a quartz variety. The stone is often used to make jewelry.

The magical properties of pink opal

Origin of the mineral

Pink opals stand a little apart from other members of their family. Their main exporters are Peru and Mexico, where before the Spanish conquest there were powerful states of the Indians - Mayans, Aztecs, Incas. These peoples considered the stones sacred. According to Indian beliefs, the gods can look at the world through opals, and those who peer at them will be able to see higher powers. Therefore, Indian idols often have precious gems inserted in place of their eyes.

Pink opals were first discovered in what is now Peru and Mexico.

The conquistadors were not interested in pink crystals. When they captured Indian sanctuaries, they melted the gold statues into ingots, and simply picked out the stones and threw them away, without giving them any value. It is not known who was the first to decide not to discard the opal with contempt, but to send it home along with the rest of the loot.

One way or another, the dawn-colored opal ended up in Spain, where it almost immediately attracted the attention of fashionistas, craftsmen, and jewelers. Soon the belief spread throughout Europe that the stone helps maintain pale skin and blond hair color. The aristocracy of Spain, Portugal, and to a lesser extent Sicily were very proud of these features. It was believed that the snow-white skin and golden hair of the nobles was proof that their ancestors did not mix with the Moors.

History and legends

The romantic history of the origin of opal is captured in the myths and legends of the peoples who dug up the stones.

• Ancient mythology says that Zeus's tears of joy became pebbles. The main ancient Greek god defeated the Titans after a long battle, sending thunder and lightning. From an excess of feelings, Zeus burst into tears, thus creating beautiful opals.
• Indians claim that men, smitten by the beauty of their rainbow goddess, pursued her. Fleeing from annoying admirers, she fell, becoming precious opals.
• Australian Aboriginal version - God decided to visit the land with a “check”. Glittering gems appeared in place of his footprints.

According to Pliny, the stone fell from heaven, absorbing the rainbow colors of earthly minerals.

India introduced opals to Europe in the 19th century. The stones conquered the elite and adherents of esotericism. The peak of popularity occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. Today they also have many fans.

Main characteristics of pink opal

If you look at pink opal from the point of view of geology and mineralogy, it represents a large fraction of red silica, which is “wedged” into the parent rock. Technically, the stone is not a crystal - it is an amorphous structure that consists of tiny globules, so the gem is very fragile. The raw rock appears as a round, oval or wedge-shaped conglomerate.

Pink opal is a semi-precious stone with magical and healing properties.

Pink stone is also called Andean or Peruvian opal. It is the most delicate, romantic, pastel variety of its family. With the exception of color, all its other properties coincide with its relative minerals:

• pearl, matte shimmer;
• full or partial transparency;
• absence of adhesions;
• softness and fragility due to the amorphous structure;
• vulnerability to alkalis, which can completely dissolve the gem.

According to jewelry classification, pink stone is considered semi-precious. Its cost is the same as that of its blue and black relatives. It is quite difficult to process; not every jeweler is ready to take on such a task.

Physicochemical characteristics

From a chemical point of view, this is a frozen hydrogel of silicon dioxide - quartz.

Opal is not a crystal, but an amorphous substance that always contains water.

Precious opals contain from 6 to 10% water, which can evaporate, causing the stone to lose its outer shine and even crack.

Pink opal bracelet

It is quite dense and heavy, but fragile substance. Hardness is average, up to 6.5 Mohs. The pink color is due to impurities of iron or manganese, or both.

Opalescent Peruvian opal is rare.

This mineral is insoluble in acids, but soluble in alkalis.

Formula	SiO2 nH2O
Color	pink
Shine	Glassy, ​​dim, sometimes pearlescent
Transparency	From transparent to translucent
Hardness	5,5 — 6,5
Cleavage	Absent
Kink	Conchoidal; fragile
Density	1.96 - 2.20 g/cm³

Where is pink opal mined?

The veins from which pink opal is mined usually appear as thin but extended inclusions or biconvex lenses. Most often they are sandwiched between other rocks. The mineral deposits are not very rich, but are found regularly.

The leaders in the extraction of pink opals are the countries of Latin America.

As in the Middle Ages, the gem is mined in the Andes and Cordillera - the mountains of Central and South America. Development is carried out in an open way. It is often carried out in artisanal conditions by local residents themselves, who sell stones to buyers in large cities. The main suppliers to the market are, as you might guess, Latin American countries:

• Mexico;
• Guatemala;
• Honduras;
• Brazil;
• Peru.

Outside the Western Hemisphere, deposits have been discovered in Ethiopia. In recent years, mining of pastel opals has also intensified in Australia. This country even declared the stones its national treasure.

Stories about opal

Opals in ancient times were loved by many peoples.

Antiquity received opals from India. Pliny the Elder describes in detail the route of trade sea communications with India: navigation was opened “in the middle of summer, before the rising of the constellation Canis or at the very beginning of its rising.” From India they brought (among other things) neatly packed rainbow stones in the holds. The Roman Empire was eagerly awaiting them. They loved colorful pebbles there. Those who could paid crazy amounts of money for jewelry.

Pliny was indignant: “according to the most conservative estimate, India, the sulfur and this peninsula take one hundred million sesterces from our power every year - that’s how much luxury and women cost us!” The Sers are Chinese, whose silk was loved in Rome.

Egypt, during its rule by the Romans (according to Strabo), had a whole merchant fleet, up to 120 ships, which conducted regular trade with India.

Long before the Roman Empire, in Mesoamerica the Indians, like the Romans, were fascinated by opals. Moreover, they were valued much more than gold.

In the shameful history of the Conquista there is a well-known fact about the capture of the Inca leader Atahualpa. For his ransom, the Spaniards demanded an amount of gold that would fill the room where the leader was held captive. The Indians complied with the request. The Spaniards did not want to release Atahualpa, and executed him.

What does ransom and gold have to do with it, you ask? We answer. The Indians closed the production of opals, and no one told the invader about their location. The Indians did not mind gold...

Opals were so highly valued among Indian tribes.

We recommend: WATERMELON TOURMALINE - the delicious beauty of a gem

Use and care of stone

Pink opal is mined in relatively small quantities, and the specimens are usually not large. Therefore, the gem is used only in jewelry. It is set in gold or silver, and beads, earrings, and bracelets are made from it. Craftsmen often make souvenirs from it - boxes, chests, snuff boxes, smoking pipes, writing instruments, paperweights, figurines. The cut is usually made in the form of a cabochon.

Only with proper storage will a talisman with pink opal serve you for many years.

The mineral is used in stone magic and mineral therapy. In order for the magical properties of the pink opal stone to be preserved as long as possible, the amulet must be properly cared for. However, even if you do not believe in the supernatural properties of gems, the rules of careful handling of them will still come in handy. Even if the crystal is just a decoration for you, damaging or ruining it will still be a nuisance.

• Put on the gem only after you have already applied makeup. This is necessary so as not to accidentally stain the stone.
• It is best to store the stone in a separate, individual package. If this is not possible, at least keep away from hard minerals (diamonds, beryl). They can “push” the opal, disrupting its shape.
• The fragile Andean stone does not like temperature changes. Therefore, wear it under your clothes in winter.
• It is not recommended to leave the crystal in direct sunlight for a long time. This causes it to become cloudy, dry out, and even crack.
• If you use pink opal as a magical item, charge it only under the Moon, preferably waxing or full.
• When removing a gem, wrap it in soft cloth.
• Protect the mineral from shock, friction, and shock.
• Clean your jewelry under cool running water once a month.

If stored properly, the talisman will serve you for many years. If the opal becomes damaged or very dirty, do not attempt to fix it yourself. It's better to take it to a jeweler and he'll see what he can do.

Peculiarities

The richest deposits of pink opals are concentrated in South America, in particular in Peru. The stone can also be found in Australia. Pink opal was considered the most revered gem among the Incas and Aztecs, who believed that the stone allowed every person to live in harmony with nature and have a happy destiny.

Today, the peoples of South American countries also respect pink opal - they make amulets from it and believe in its exceptional energy.

Like all opals, the pink variety of the stone has a special composition. Thus, 20-30% of the composition of the gem is water, and the remaining 70-80% is represented by quartz and silica. As the water concentration decreases, the opal turns into chalcedony.

If the moisture evaporates completely, the opal becomes covered with cracks and collapses. Large fractions of silica give opal a pink tint. The pink variety of opal is considered a valuable variety of stone, which is why this gem is used in the jewelry industry.

Checking pink opal for authenticity

Like other stones, pink opal is counterfeited quite often. Usually scammers imitate the Andean gem using painted glass or plastic. More “high pilotage” are synthetic minerals, which they learned to grow shortly after the Second World War. One way or another, their cost is lower than that of real crystals. How can you avoid being deceived?

Be sure to check the product with the stone for authenticity before purchasing.

1. Expose your purchase to the sun's rays. Natural opal casts colorful reflections on the hand.
2. Counterfeits do not stick to the tongue, unlike real gems.
3. If the color is not uniform, it will be clearly zonal: some areas are clearly darker than others, without transitions.
4. The transparent specimen plays with reflected light appearing somewhere in the depths of the pink stone.
5. At different viewing angles, the colored inclusions will move and change shade. This phenomenon is called opalescence, and it is very difficult to fake.
6. Examine the crystal under a magnifying glass. The natural pink mineral consists of tiny globules. Plastic and glass are homogeneous. Laboratory synthetic opals have a layered structure.
7. Squeeze the gem in your hand. Real stone will heat up slowly. Glass - instantly.

When purchasing Andean opal, you should remember: only the original has magical and therapeutic properties. From an esoteric point of view, laboratory specimens are simply beautiful toys.

Original or imitation

Considering the low cost of the stone, it is wrong to think that it is often counterfeited. Nevertheless, such cases do occur. Wanting to reduce the cost of products, unscrupulous sellers actually pass off glass and plastic as pink opal.

It's not difficult to spot a fake. Both plastic and glass imitation are several times lighter than the original mineral, and all because they contain no water at all. A fake can also be identified by its unnatural, uneven color with sparkles instead of the natural inner lights of the opal shining in the light.

Healing properties of the stone

Pink opal has been used in mineral healing ever since it came to Europe. Lithotherapists believe that it is able to relieve heart pain and improve blood circulation. Also in alternative medicine, with its help they try to improve metabolic processes, improve potency in men over forty, and treat female frigidity.

Regularly wearing pink opal is a good way to prevent gastrointestinal diseases.

In people who have achieved harmony with their talisman, blood supply to the brain improves, the consequences of strokes pass faster, and the frequency of hypertensive crises decreases. The mineral can also stimulate the immune system. Therefore, it is recommended to wear it during seasonal epidemics of flu and colds, especially if your work involves a large number of people.

There is an opinion that pink opal stone has a good effect on the functioning of the liver and gallbladder. It can be worn if you have hepatitis or problems with bile production. The mineral will also be a good help for liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol intake.

The liver is responsible for processing all kinds of junk food through the production of bile. If you are planning a party with a lot of fatty food or alcohol, wear a gem to better endure the libations.

By applying a pink crystal to sore spots, you can reduce the intensity of pain and inflammation. Proper meditation on it can improve vision. Patients who regularly wear Andean opal recover faster after surgery. The energy of the gem helps to cope with neuroses, depression, and anxiety.

When resorting to unconventional methods of treatment, you should remember that they are experimental and are not always confirmed by science. It is best to combine the use of pharmacological drugs with lithotherapy. This is reasonable also because minerals work on the energetic level, and medicines work on the bodily, physical level.

Place of Birth

Opal
Opal is often found in thin layers or flat lenses, large pieces are rare. It is found on all continents, but Australian deposits account for, according to some statements, about 97% of all world production. Of these, 90% are called “light opals” or white crystalline opals.

Most Australian opals are mined in Coober Pedy in South Australia. The boulder type is mined in the state of Queensland. One of the largest mines producing this type of mining is Jundah. In the state of New South Wales, in the area of ​​the town of Lightning Ridge, another opal with a predominant black color is mined (with a play of colors from dark gray to black-blue). This type is considered the rarest, as black opal accounts for only about 5% of the total opal mined in Australia. Opal is considered the national stone of Australia.

In addition to Australia, Ethiopia is a major exporter of opals. Most of the precious opals are mined in Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Slovakia, the USA (Nevada), with minor occurrences in Russia (Kamchatka) and Ukraine.

Ordinary and fire opals are often found in Mexico (states of Hidalgo (state) and Queretaro), Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, USA, Turkey, Kazakhstan.

This is interesting!

In late 2008, NASA announced that it had discovered opals on Mars.

The magical properties of pink opal

The properties of pink opal are determined by its color range. The delicate, pastel color of the mineral determines its energy, which helps to improve personal life or return peace to the family. This is a well-known love amulet.

Pink opal will help you meet a couple for a serious relationship.

• Those who suffer from unrequited or lost love should remember that intense feelings almost never last forever. If you do not exaggerate your suffering and its consequences, and do not “feed” the feeling, it will subside within two to four weeks. Meditation on pink opal will help you with this.
• It will be easier for someone who carries Andean opal to fight depression, apathy, and melancholy, especially if they are caused by loneliness or separation.
• The pink crystal symbolizes calm, peace, silence. When the wearer begins to be overcome by violent emotions, the talisman helps reduce their intensity.
• Keeping a souvenir of an Andean gem on your desk can improve relationships with managers and employees.

All opal stones have an interesting property: their character is absolutely neutral. Such a jewel can equally help to do both good and evil. However, any immoral acts and black magic lead to retribution, so you should not engage in them, even though at first glance it may seem effective.

When working with pink opal, you should be especially attentive to your mood and emotional background. You should not begin the ritual if you are angry, irritated, or feeling unwell. Peruvian opal can bring back your own negativity, creating even more problems. But if you take on work in a good mood, the gem will become a real magnet for success.

Zodiac compatibility

Due to its water content, opal is an absolutely “water” stone. It is optimally suited for Pisces, who often have excessive modesty, especially those who suffer from psychological complexes.

Earrings with pink opal

In principle, the mineral is suitable for people born under any zodiac sign, with the exception of those born in the year of the Fire Tiger or Water Snake - the stone will work the other way around, enhancing the negative traits of these people.

Zodiac sign	Compatibility
Aries	—
Taurus	+
Twins	+
Cancer	+
a lion	—
Virgo	+
Scales	+
Scorpion	+++
Sagittarius	+
Capricorn	+
Aquarius	+
Fish	+++

(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)

Who is pink opal suitable for?

The properties a pink opal stone will exhibit when worn depend on many factors. Perhaps the most important among them is the sign under which the bearer was born. Libra best . Such people are often characterized by excessive perfectionism and inflated demands on themselves or others. At the same time, they are changeable, prone to sudden mood swings. The crystal will help you look at the world more realistically, without expecting too much from yourself and others. Also, the Andean mineral will balance changes in the emotional background.

Astrologers do not recommend using pink opal as a talisman for fiery zodiac signs.

Another pink gem is suitable for Gemini and Capricorn . He will make them calmer, more balanced, more peaceful. The energy of the crystal will soften natural egoism, a tendency towards tediousness, and scolding. Geminis become more purposeful and stop procrastinating, wasting time on useless little things.

Aries , Sagittarius and Leo to wear pink opal . Their fiery nature risks coming into conflict with the soft energy of the gem. It is better for such people to pay attention to the fire stone, which we recently wrote about.

As for the other signs, they can achieve harmony with the gem. But in order for something to change in life, you need to work on it yourself, and the talisman will already help with this.

Compatibility with names and zodiac signs

A gemstone has a great impact on the inner world of its owner. It enriches him, helps him find harmony in feelings and actions, and a person begins to evaluate his problems from a philosophical point of view.

Pink Peruvian opal is the patron saint of creative people. It helps to develop hidden talents and find your calling. If a person cannot make the right decision, the gem will show the way and protect him from wrong actions.

A mineral with strong energy, opal is suitable for confident and decisive individuals and is not recommended for weak-willed people with an uncertain position in life . The talisman will not be of any use to such people. You shouldn’t even hope that it will help solve many of life’s issues.

The gem is suitable for almost everyone, with the exception of those born in the year of the Water Snake or Fire Tiger. Such people take on the negative traits of animals, and opal further enhances them. The gem belongs to the representatives of the water element, therefore, first of all, opal is suitable are Pisces and Scorpios. It helps them get rid of complexes and increase self-esteem.

Pisces are talented, but due to their modesty, they are not always able to reveal their talent to the world and show what they are capable of. Opal will help Pisces open up and give them an impetus for growth and development.

Scorpio is the most powerful sign of the zodiac. Their representatives easily lose their temper, splash out emotions on others, are characterized by lack of restraint, and are characterized by outbursts of rage and anger. Thanks to the precious gem, representatives of the sign become calmer, can control aggression and suppress outbursts of anger.

Attention! Capricorns are contraindicated in all varieties except dark green or dark blue opal. It is not recommended to wear black opal all the time.

Taurus are naturally calm people, so they should not choose opal as a talisman: their orientation is completely opposite. If Taurus likes material well-being, then opal is responsible for spiritual well-being.

Opal is suitable for the kind, impressionable, sincere Olesya. The gemstone will fill the girl’s personality with positivity and bring clarity to her thoughts. For the attractive, emotional, jealous Angela, opal will become a symbol of tenderness and help to find happiness.

In order for the stone to reveal its magical properties, you need to choose gold as the setting.

Talismans and amulets

Gold ring with white opal
Gold ring with white opal, worn on the index finger of the right hand, is a talisman for people involved in medicine, since this stone gives them the ability to heal the sick, alleviating their suffering.

An opal amulet will ensure success in business if the owner overcomes selfishness or greed.

Taking such a talisman with you on a long trip or on a tourist trip, you can be sure that your exhausted strength will quickly be restored.

A pendant or keychain in silver is a lifeline for melancholic people, suicidal people, and people hovering in a fantasy world. Opal amulets and talismans (figurines, boxes, simply processed stones) will maintain peace in the house and protect the home from natural disasters or robbers.

The natural energy of opal reaches peak values ​​by October.