OPAL (Oregan and Boulder)
This Oregon Opal is a unique variety of opal found in Northeastern Oregon, which was discovered by a shepherd 100 years ago.
Tiffany's originally marketed this opal, which became an avidly sought-after stone, at the turn of the century. This material is hand mined at Opal Butte.
Unlike Australian opal, Oregon Opal exhibits translucent shades of blue, yellow, red, and sometimes iridescent "fire". Its luminescence glows as if it came from another dimension. Hardness: 4.5-6.5.
(I love this and intend to get another! One of the Austalian Boulder variety wouldn't go amiss either!)
| Metaphysically it acts as a conduit to the joyful side of the emotional experience. "Oregon Opal allows for the joyful release and expression of the emotions and the imagination. This stone encourages one to act upon one’s desires in a loving way. Unlike some opal, which can facilitate the experience of the more difficult emotion. Oregon Opal connects one to the joyful side of the emotional experience, while enabling one to integrate and release old wounds in the emotional body.
While other Opals are related to the Water Element, Oregon Opal is related to the fire element, and so encourages one to transmute any negativity that one may encounter into useful energy that can be utilized in positive ways." Helps lung conditions, increases assimilation of protein. Assists the control of one’s temper and calms the nerves. Aids the development of one’s psychic ability. Sometimes considered an unlucky stone, perhaps because it causes one’s thoughts - good or bad - to rebound upon oneself! Above all, it is a stone of love, but if the lover be false its influence is reversed, and the opal proves a sorry stone for faithless lovers. Used by healers to cure: energy from the center of the earth and the rays of the sun. This stone has been used by shamans to access the dreamtime and further the progress of the dreams toward reality. |
(05/01/01 13:19:57) I have another piece! Look!!
Bought off ebays auctions from Dale at Idaho Gems!
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF IT!!
And this is a part of a big batch I bought! See the fire!!
I got some Australian Boulder Opal too!!
3 pieces of my stash! This is Koroit Opal in matrix, but it's still oozing the stuff!
A Koroit Opal Field (1000 miles from Brisbane) - click for bigger
And this, I take it, must be Frank Timms holding two halves of a real whopper! G'day to you Frank! (click for bigger). Frank has his own opal mine!! Check out Frank's ebay auctions on here.
Boulder Opal was formed millions of years ago from a solution that flowed into seams, cracks, and cavaties in a type of sandstone known as Ironstone. Opal is composed of an arrangement of very small silica spheres. The play of colour that Opal is known for is the result of the diffraction of light by these spheres and the spaces in between them. Different colours are the result of different sized spheres. For example, the colour violet comes from an arrangement of spheres which have diameters of 1,500 angstroms, and red comes from spheres that have diameters of 3,500 angstroms.
Composition: Hydrous Silica, often with some Iron and Aluminum
Hardness: 5 1/2 - 6 1/2
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Metaphysical Properties: Boulder Opal represents purity and intensity. It assists in emotional and mental balance, calms the inner soul. Facilitates actualization. Excellent stone for progress, expansion, and development. Helps one connect the conscious and subconscious, providing for a clearer understanding of oneself. Corresponding Astrological Signs: Opal corresponds to Cancer, Libra, Pisces, and Scorpio. Boulder Opal in particular corresponds to Virgo. |
This is Mexican Fire Opal. Perty!
I don't know exactly what "opalite" is - but this is it!
And this is a piece of Moss Opal from just outside of Norseman, Western Australia.
I have just found out that opal should be kept damp, preferably soaked in water overnight frequently - or else it will crack! Help! I've been keeping mine above a darned radiator!!