Opal

What are opals???
 Opals are a VERY beautiful type of gemstone. They come in many shapes, sizes, and a large variety of colors. They can come in these colors- white, blue, green, pink, and coral. There are 2 types of Boulder Opals- Koroit and Yowah. Koroit opals are usually larger and rougher, while Yowahs have a smooth edge and are relatively small.

The Mystical Opal
 The opal is the birthstone for those born in the month of October. This means that the opal is my gemstone. Opals have been believed to help with healing of eyesight and is also supposed to help inner beauty shine through. It is also a symbol of faithfulness.

Where are opals found?

Matrix Opal

Opals are found in Australia, the land down under. The opal is created within irony brownstone boulders. When the brownstone mixes with the opal, it creates a rare hybrid called the matrix opal. Opals rank a 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Boulder opal is very durable due to where it is created. It has such a low amount of water in it that it almost never cracks or crazes as it ages.

Myths that you SHOULD NOT BELIEVE about the opal include:

Opals should be occasionally soaked in either baby oil or water to prevent cracking. False! Oiling your opals will only make them slippery. As I mentioned before, water content in opals is low, and this in itself prevents cracking.

Opals are extremely fragile and will break easily. False! Everyone seems to overlook the water content fact... It would take a lot of damage to break a boulder opal.

Water damages opals and causes cracks. Eh, didn't you read your other incorrect fact? Just a few paragraphs ago you were telling me to SOAK my opal in water. What, do you want my opal to crack? In any case, this is not true.