“October’s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.”

The name Opal evolved from the Greek “Opallus” which means to see a change in colour.  Later, the Latin word “opalus” came to mean precious stone.

Opal’s are said to be in a class of their own and each one distinctly individual.  We can see this by the varying colours opals give off in the light due to their internal make-up. An opal is a sedimentary stone which absorbs water.  The water is deposited as tiny spheres, which if uniform in shape and size will diffract light producing many colours.  Opal hues can range from clear and white, right through the visible colour spectrum to gray, brown and black. White and greens are the most common opals and reds against black are the most rare.

Opals are the most delicate gemstones and can have poor wearability. They require special care to insure their condition and longevity and it is recommended that they shouldn’t be worn all the time.  Opals make a beautiful gift for a special occasion, anniversary or birthday piece but are best avoided in engagement or wedding rings and other jewellery intended for everyday wear.