Madagascar AB green opal bracelet (7-8mm balls)

About 17g
Bracelet made of 7-8mm green opal balls.
Colors and patterns may vary from bracelet to bracelet.

An opal is composed of hydrated silica, with traces of uranium, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron, arsenic, sodium and potassium. It also has a high water content that can be up to 20% depending on the variety.

Opal is formed during alternating wet and dry periods. Precipitation loaded with various elements infiltrates the substrate. Then, during dry periods, evaporation will allow the formation of the upper layers of chalcedony and quartz.

The etymology of the word opal comes from the Sanskrit upala meaning precious stone. It is noted that opal is the only gemstone that is splendid without any prior cutting.

For decades, the origin of the magnificent colours of noble opals was not explained until 1965, when the scanning electron microscope appeared. This allowed scientists to demonstrate the structure of opals. Consisting of spheres of varying sizes, opals have a milky appearance, these are common opals. In noble opals, the spheres are of identical dimensions and the light then interferes and produces this incredible appearance with multiple colours.

It should be noted that water plays a major role in the appearance and durability of opal. It is not uncommon to see rough opals presented to the public in containers filled with water.

Opal has a hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. For comparison, diamond has the highest hardness, which is 10 on the same scale.

According to Greek mythology, opal was associated with Zeus' tears of joy after his victory over the Titans. His tears, when they touched the ground, turned into opals. This legend mainly concerns the blue opal. It is a common opal with various shades of blue. It was even thought that opal gave its wearer powers of clairvoyance and divination.

Among the Romans, opal is a stone that is a source of hope. Pliny the Elder tells the story of Nonius, a senator dismissed by Mark Antony (83 - 30 BC), because he did not want to give him an opal. Mark Antony absolutely wanted to offer it to Cleopatra. Nonius preferred to flee with only his precious opal and his collection of stones as luggage. According to an 18th century legend, the opal of Nonius was found in the ruins of Alexandria.

In ancient times, opal was considered a precious stone. In the Middle Ages, blonde women wore opal necklaces to preserve the color of their hair. Opal was also called “ophtalmios” which literally translates to “eye stone”. In fact, it was thought to have eye-protective properties.

Many writers describe this stone by comparing it to fireworks, volcanoes, galaxies, etc. The Bedouins explained that this stone fell during storms enclosing lightning.

In India, a legend tells that the Rainbow Goddess was so beautiful that she was constantly courted, even harassed. She then chose to transform herself into an opal.

However, opal was considered a stone of misfortune. A myth from a novel by Sir Walter Scott entitled Anne of Geierstein or the Daughter of the Mists, published in 1829, harmed the stone. Indeed, the heroine Lady Hermione died after her opal received holy water. She was accused of witchcraft. Within months, the opal market suffered a 50% drop.

But a more reasonable explanation emerged: 19th-century lapidaries and stone setters had difficulty working this stone without damaging it. The frequent breakages associated with this stone gave opal a connotation of bad luck.

The main opal deposits are in Madagascar, Australia, the United States, Spain, Mexico, etc.

Green opal is very widespread in the world. To date, there are more than 3,000 deposits of this magnificent stone. However, Australia remains the leading producer of quality opals. In fact, about 95% of all opals on the market come from this country, 4% come from Mexico and the rest are scattered throughout the world. In Germany, opals called Eibenstock opals are produced. In Syria, opals have also been discovered, as well as in Madagascar, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, etc.

Opal is formed by accumulations of siliceous fluids. These accumulations are deposited in various rocks, such as tuff. As a reminder, tuff is a rock formed by the accumulation of volcanic projections of tiny fragments that can contain rocks. This rock consolidates under the action of water. These accumulations can take place in organic matter (carbonaceous matter produced by living beings, plants, animals or micro-organisms). Then the water content of the opal is reduced and the silica gel forms a solid consistency. Each opal has a different water content, this can range from 3% to 20% of its composition.

The different colors of opal come from its inclusions like copper, nickel, silver, cobalt, iron, etc. Green opal belongs to the common opal family, as it does not have this phenomenon of iridescence and opalescence. However, it has various shades of green. This is formed by a sedimentary process and contains silicic acid, with solidified iron and nickel. It is this combination that gives it these beautiful green hues.

A powerful stone of protection, green opal provides peace and serenity. It allows you to free yourself from blockages linked to childhood trauma. It is a beautiful stone of resilience. It facilitates the reconstruction of your inner self. It gives you the courage to face life's challenges.

This beautiful green stone represents renewal. It pushes its wearer to act for change. It encourages starting from scratch and brings a deep letting go. The person gains confidence in themselves and in others. They finally free themselves from this mistrust and their lack of assurance. They allow themselves to move forward.

Green opal protects its wearer from negative energies and harmful influences. A person under influence can free themselves by wearing this incredible stone. They gain new strength and can thus leave a harmful partner. This stone symbolizes freedom and new beginnings.

Its beautiful green color is the color of spring, or the awakening of nature for a new season. This stone dissolves conscious and unconscious barriers. It helps fight against self-devaluation, to evacuate repressed anger or feelings of resentment. Little extra: this stone frees creativity and imagination.