Opals are rocks or minerals that when cut and polished can be used in the elaboration of jewels or artistic items. This gemstone has been source of inspiration for legends, stories, superstition.
It has been a well-known gemstone since ancient times. According to the story, in ancient Rome, Marco Antonio thought there was no best gift in the world for his beloved Cleopatra than a wonderful opal that belonged to the collection of jewels and stones of a Roman Senator called Nonius.
However, Marco Aurelio did not expect the gem owner to be unwilling to sell it, preferring exile over having confrontations with Marco Antonio, so Cleopatra could not receive the precious stone.
Another very famous story is that of a gold ring, decorated with an opal which was given by the most famous courtesans from the time of King Alfonso XII of Spain and his wife Maria de las Mercedes de Orleans as a wedding gift.
Nevertheless, the background of this story is that this courtesan, whose name was Virginia Oldoini, had an affair with King Alfonso XII when she was young, but he chose to marry one of Oldoini’s cousins. So, as revenge, she gave them the ring as a wedding gift, but it was powerfully cursed. According to the legend, the wife of King Alfonso XII put on the ring and mysteriously died five months later.
After that, the piece went through many hands of the Spanish royal family, and mysteriously those who worn it died surprisingly in a short time. Although the deaths were real, it is unknown if this “Cursed ring” actually had something to do with them, so it has become a legend.
A series of discovered opals that are very famous and of great value are also historical. One of them is the Andamooka Opal, the largest in the world found so far. It is also known as the Queen’s Opal, because it was a gift for Queen Elizabeth II.
In the year 1938, in Linghtning Ridge the Aurora Australis opal was found, which is a beautiful black stone. Its harlequin pattern with the colors red, green and blue over a black background, makes it one of the most valuable opals in the world.
Another opal of singular beauty is the one known as “The Black Prince”. It was discovered in 1915, it is 181 carats and it has a flag pattern on one side and on the other it is red. It was part of the collection of the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, but was later stolen along with other stones.
The pride of Australia is an Opal in the shape of a continent. It has black and blue veins that intertwine with red veins, so it is quite peculiar.
Without a doubt, opals are very beautiful gems, coming in a diversity of very striking colors and enclosing stories and legends.
ALFA