Symbolizes clarity, hope, purity and faith in oneself
Sources
Australia produces about 97% of the world’s opal
Mexico produces fire opal
U.S. (specifically Nevada) produces a wide variety of precious black, crystal, white, fire, and lemon opal. In fact, the black fire opal is the official gemstone of Nevada.
Points of Interest
Ancient opal came from mines in what is now Eastern Slovakia, but these deposits are now exhausted.
Its embodiment of all other gem colors has given the opal the reputation of the most magic of gems, and the Romans called it “the queen of gems” for this same reason.
Shakespeare used an Opal in one of his plays to draw a parallel between Opal’s changing colors and the ever-changing moods of a woman. In “Twelfth Night” he wrote: “Now the melancholy God protect thee, and the tailor make thy garments of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is opal.”
In Kenya, anthropologists have found opal artifacts 6,000 years old
Said to be the stone of love, but only to faithful lovers. The opal will bring misfortune to an unfaithful lover.
The Romans called Opal “Cupid Paederos”, “a child as beautiful as love.”
In medieval times, all blond maidens wanted a necklace made of opals, as this was considered an absolute guarantee to prevent their hair from fading or darkening.
The Arabs thought that opals were formed by lightning strikes, hence, the reason why brilliant flashes of color were captured within.
Water content of an opal is usually 3%-10%, but can be as high as 20%
Tourmaline
Symbolizes wisdom, strength of mind and eloquence
Sources
Tourmalines are mined everywhere in the world including Africa, Afghanistan, Africa, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Siberia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the USA, and Zimbabwe.
Points of Interest
The name Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) word tura mali which translates as the stone of mixed colors.
Pink tourmaline tends to be pinker in color than ruby. However, their similarities in appearance can be so strong that the stones in the Russian crown jewels believed to be rubies for centuries, are now thought to actually be tourmalines.
Was used extensively as a tailsman by artists and writers for creativity
Ancient legend says that tourmaline is found in all colors because it travelled along a rainbow and gathered all the colors
Ancient ceremonies in India included the use of the gem as a tool to bring insight and help in the discovery of that which is good. It would also serve to make known who or what was the cause of troubles or evil deeds.
A Dutch scientist claimed that a tourmaline wrapped in silk and placed against the cheek of a feverish child would induce sleep
In modern times, the stone is used by tribes in Africa, Native Americans, and aboriginal groups in Australia as a talisman that protects against all dangers.
Types of Tourmaline:
- Chrome – Intense Green (colored by chromium or vanadium – like emerald)
- Indicolite – Dark Blue, often w/a violet or green tinge (colored by iron)
- Paraiba – Vivid blues and greens (colored by copper)
- Rubelitte – Red or deep pink (colored by manganese)
- Bicolor, Tricolor, Watermelon (Parti-color encompasses the for mentioned)
- Cat’s-eye – Usually blue, green or pink w/a soft cats eye effect
