Peruvian Blue Opal

NOTE: This item is sold by the GRAM! Minimum quantity is 20 Grams

Item Size: Various Sizes

Opal is a popular gem and has been for many centuries. The chemistry of Opal is primarily Silicon Dioxide and anywhere from 5-30% water. This water can help geologists determine the temperature of the host rock at the time the opal formed.

Opal is considered a mineraloid because the structure is not truly crystalline (meaning it does not have a regular arrangement of atoms). Random chains of oxygen are packed into extraordinarily tiny spheres. In most Opals, the spheres are irregular in size and inconsistent in concentration. In Precious Opal, though, the spheres are somewhat equal in size and regular in concentration. This diffracts the light at various wavelengths, creating colors. Each pocket produces a different color, with a different intensity depending on the angle from which a viewer sees it. Sometimes small amounts of finely crystalline cristobalite and tridymite in the Opal will add to this effect. The rainbow iridescence is known as opalescence, and makes Opal truly beautiful.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Mineral Class: Silicates

Mineral Species: Tectosilicates (Framework Silicates)

Mineral Group: Some minerologists place Opal in the Quartz Group.

Chemical Formula: SiO₂ n(H₂O)

Composition:
32.24% - Silicon Si
03.47% - Hydrogen H
64.29% - Oxygen O₂

Environment: Sedimentary and secondary from the alteration of high silica igneous extrusive rocks

IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) Prehistoric

Locality: Quartz as a group is very common mineral found world wide

Name Origin: OPAL – From the Old Indian upala, meaning ‘precious stone.’ QUARTZ - From the German quarz, of uncertain origin.

Opal Sources: Australia, Brazil, USA, Tanzania, Iceland, Mexico, Peru, UK, Canada, Honduras, Slovakia


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cleavage: None

Color: Yellow

Crystal System: Amorphous – No crystals

Density: 1.9 – 2.3, Average = 2.09

Diaphaniety: Transparent – Opaque

Fracture: Conchoidal - Fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by smoothly curving surfaces, (e.g. quartz)

Habit: Amorphous – No crystalline form or imitative shape.

Habit: Massive – Uniformly indistinguishable crystals forming large masses.

Habit: Reniform – “Kidney-like” in shape (e.g. hematite).

Hardness: 5.5-6 – Knife blade-Orthoclase

Luminescence: Fluorescent – Short UV=greenish yellow, Long UV=white

Luster: Vitreous – Dull

Magnetism: Nonmagnetic

Specific Gravity: 2.09

Streak: White


METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Chakras: Crown

Number: 8

Zodiac Sign: Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Pisces

Element: Earth, Water

Beneficial for: Parkinson’s; strengthens will to live; infections; fever; memory; blood and kidney purification; regulates insulin; eases childbirth; lungs; utilization of oxygen

As an elixir: Beneficial to the eyes

Opal is a delicate stone with a gentle, fine vibration. Lovely stone for healing emotions, especially those connected with subconsciously held pain. Opals are generally associated with past lives and the world of dreams, and these are the places from which old wounds can come to the surface. Opal is a protective stone in that, when properly programmed, it makes you unnoticeable or invisible. It can be used when venturing into dangerous places and in shamanic work where stealth is required.