OPAL

Delicate gem of hope and peace
Bring intuition to the transformation
Creativity with luck we may bring
Our best selves into amplification

One of the birthstones for October is opal.  This delicate gem is what is called a hydrated amorphous silica.  It is basically SiO2 with a lot of H2O.  The tiny silica globules are bonded together with water, up to 20%, for a stone with a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5.  If the water is allowed to dry out of the stone, it can crack and crumble.  The name opal may have been derived from the Sanskrit word for jewel, upala, or the Greek word opallios (change in color).  In general, opal comes in two classes.  Precious opal has the iridescence or color change.  Common opal has none.  Most people think of opal as white, but it actually comes in a variety of other colors as well, including black, blue, green, pink, red, and clear.  Among the places where this stone can be found is Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico, and Peru.

To the Romans, opal was the most precious and powerful of all stones because it contains the colors of all gems.  the Bedouins believed that it contains lightening and fell from the sky during thunderstorms.  In Asia, opal is a symbol of good luck, peace, love, and passion.

Opal is seen as a stone of transformation and amplification.  It is thought to amplify thought, emotions, and personal traits, and bring them to light so they can be transformed or used.  It helps promote intuition, creativity, and imagination.  It was once believed to be a useful aid in becoming invisible ad as protection for shamanic work.

In addition to the general information for opal, each color fine tunes the energy available.  Just a bit of a disclaimer here.  The attributes of the colors varies widely by source.  This is what resonates with me.  For more information, check thespruce.com, The Book of Stones, and The Crystal Bible.
BLACK - is a stone of magic and mystery. It magnifies intention, invites vision, and aids with inner work and shadow work.
WHITE - is a stone of spiritual energy and mental clarity.
BLUE - is used to aid communication and creativity.
PINK - is calming for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
FIRE - is about personal power, change, passion, and hope.

So, now you know.  Treasure your opal and treat it kindly so it will be with you for a lifetime.

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