Boulder Opal

For most people--myself included--boulder opal jewelry has the effect of taking one’s breath away. One thing that amazes me about this stone, as a jewelry designer and retailer, is that this stone seems to have the unusual talent of being as fascinating to men as it is to women.

Boulder Opal Jewelry Gemology Facts: Boulder opal is found in Australia where precious opal forms in veins and patches within brown ironstone boulders. When the opal is mixed through the ironstone it is called matrix opal, and when the opal intrudes into cracks and seams in the host rock, it is called seam boulder opal. Because of the brown ironstone backing, boulder opal is very durable, and because water content within the opal is very low it almost never cracks or crazes as it ages (giving boulder opals an advantage over the other types of opals).
Boulder Opal Jewelry

Interesting Fact: Due to the thin nature of the opal veins which form in boulder opals, the stones are usually cut into free form, irregular shapes to maximize the size of the stone and minimize the loss of opal. Boulder opal jewelry therefore often caters to a slightly different market and appeal to those who like irregular shapes in jewelry.

More Gemology: The brilliant range of precious opal's play of colors is due to its mineral structure.   Modern electron microscope studies have shown that opal is composed of numerous minute spheres from packed in particular arrays.   In common opal the spheres are irregularly packed, whereas in precious opal (like boulder opal) they are arranged in orderly rows and layers.  The regular packing of spheres in precious opal acts as a three-dimensional diffraction grating to transmitted light and gives the spectacular play of colors unique to this gem. Each sphere is made up of a central nucleus with one or more concentric shells of primary silica particles--the number of shells of primary silica particles comprising each sphere determines the color of the gem.

Opal History: Humans and opals (which take their name from the Latin word Upala, meaning “precious stone”) of all kinds have had a long-term love affair:

  • The Romans believed opal was the symbol of hope and purity. They called it cupid paederos (child as beautiful as love) and thought the wearer safe from disease.
  • The Arabs believed that opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning. Ancient Greeks believed the opal had the power of giving foresight and the light of prophecy to their owners.
  • Cleopatra is said to have worn an opal to attract the attention of Mark Anthony.
  • Aborigines believe the opal has a spiritual value, and that the opal represents something an ancestor left behind as a sign of his or her presence
 Boulder Opal Jewelry

Metaphysical Properties: Boulder Opal Jewelry is said to have some interesting metaphysical properties: assisting us in communication of all forms; verbal, ESP, etc. Some like to use this stone to communicate with their guides, angels, animal guides, etc., and helps recall past lives. Boulder Opal is also a good choice for clearing blocked chakras, and for strengthening and adding light into the aura. It is a very spiritual stone, and has long been used by native people in ceremonies and rights of passage. It also aids in faithfulness and produces stability-- especially good for those who have a problem staying in one place! It also helps with eyesight and aids inner beauty.