Recently this wonderfully rich gemstone has captured my attention. I did a little research and discovered some interesting facts about opals .

•    Their color is the result of silica gel and water
•    Some opals are up to 10% water
•    The most, and best opals originate in Australia
•    They were considered quite rare up until the mid-1800s.

The other thing I find especially fascinating about this beautiful stone is the profusion of folklore surrounding their “birth,” as told by the Aborigines. Who knows how well these stories were translated, but I think it makes for a marvelous study!

To me, all gemstones have a wonderful beauty. Many, or most, hearken back to the beginning of our planet, and carry a history that is billions of years old. I think it’s fantastic that we humans have crafted these pockets of our planet’s beginning into things for men and women to adorn themselves with!