Opal Beads

Opal beads are made from a material scientifically called hydrated silica, which is a gemstone that is sedimentary in origin. Opals contain six to 10 percent water, and have a bad habit of cracking when they dry out completely. This process is called crazing.

A common, but untrue, belief that opal is unlucky is based on the plot of a nineteenth century popular Sir Walter Scott novel. However, the demise of many dried out opals may have contributed to this belief. The root of the name opal is upala in Sanskrit meaning "precious stone," which evolved to the Greek opallios, meaning "to see a change of color," and then to the Roman word opalus.

Opal is the birthstone for October. It is also associated with beliefs in its ability to provide foresight, prophesy, hope, and purity.

Due to the delicate nature of opal (soft with its tendency to dry out) these gemstone beads should only be used in jewelry making where the stone is somewhat protected, such as earrings, broaches, or necklaces rather than rings or bracelets. Opals come in opaque to transparent clear, orange, red, pink, blue, white, and black, but their real appeal is based on the internal flashes of those colors. The more valuable transparent opals are also called "jelly" opals. Opals among your jewelry supplies will most certainly find their way into a very special piece.

Pink or blue Peruvian opals are often made into gemstone beads, where the Australian boulder opals tend to be more commonly carved into cabochons. However, there are very fine manmade opal beads and cabochons on the market today that are visually indistinguishable from natural opals and significantly more stable, as well as more affordable.

common treatments: none

special care: Avoid impact, heat, strong light, and harsh chemicals

hardness: 5.5 – 6.5