Opal April
The Opal gemstone is the birthstone for April and it is termed a semi-precious gemstone. This beautiful stone shines brightly and stands out from other gemstones. The gemstone is sometimes addressed by the name of precious Opal because it has a variety of colors known as “play-of-color”. It means the light an individual views from these bright and shining opals. Opals are often said to have a stroke of good luck or a good charm. Opal is one of the most popular gemstones.
Color
We mostly associate the opal birthstone with a milky white color, however, it comes in various colors, like black, yellow, gray, red, green, orange, blue, pink, and violet. These colors come in lighter shades or darker shades and various other hues. The black Opal gemstones are highly valued out of all the other gemstone colors.
Symbolism
The opal gemstone symbolizes confidence and faith. Opal, like jewelry pieces, is a modern practice followed by various individuals. In the olden times, this stone was worn by people for several reasons. It is rumored that opals help to cure eye diseases. The opal gemstone is also rumored to render the quality of being invisible. Any person carrying the stone wrapped in a bay leaf could supposedly not be seen by others.
Origin
The word opal is derived from the Greek word “Opállios” which means to see a color change. Apart from this, it is also said that the Opal word is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Upala’ which means ‘A jewel.’ Opals were considered to be rare and of great value. The stone was said to be a sign of royalty in Europe. The opal gemstone is termed to be the national gemstone of Australia.
uses
The April Birthstone is mostly and widely used for jewelry purposes only. The soft nature of the stone does not make it suitable for any other use.
Care & cleaning
The April gemstone is soft compared to the other gemstones, but it is strong enough to take accidental falls or hits. However, it is always recommended to take care to prevent it from damaging. If you plan on doing physical activity, it is recommended to take off your opal jewelry and keep it safe. Since opals are relatively softer gems, they are easily breakable and it is necessary to store them separately from other harder gems or gems and jewelry that can dent or add scratches or damage to opals. Solid stones can be harmed if they face dry conditions. It is recommended to store these in a plastic bag with a damp cloth. Opals should not be left exposed to strong sunlight or heat. Doublets and triplets, on the other hand, are water-sensitive due to the glue and backing material involved. This means that you should not soak such stones for an extended period of time because water can lift the backing and fog the top layer. Opals do not tolerate rapid temperature fluctuations and should not be cleaned with steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Such situations can result in fractures. If necessary, clean your opals with a soft cloth and mild dishwashing soap.
Types of Opal
There are mainly six types of opal gemstones present and are widely known. They are Black Opal, White Opal, Boulder Opal, Matrix Opal, Triplet Opal, and Doublet Opal.
Black/Dark Opal
Valued, high quality, rare
Light/White Opal
Natural opals, transparent
Triplet Opal
The thin veneer of precious light opal bonded to a black backing
Boulder Opal
High demand, extremely valuable
Matrix Opal
Porous material
Doublet Opal
A layer of precious light opal bonded to a black backing