![]() Green Opals are deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, Rhyolite, marl and basalt. Before this the stone was referred to by a variety of names, but these fell from use after 250. The opals were supplied by traders from the Bosporus, who claimed the gems were being supplied from India. The term first appears in Roman references around 250 B.C., at a time when the opal was valued above all other gems. However, the argument for the Sanskrit origin is strong. However, historians have noted that the first appearances of opillos do not occur until after the Romans had taken over the Greek states in 180 B.C., and they had previously used the term paederos. It is claimed that opalus combined these uses, meaning "to see a change in color". This word has two meanings, one is related to "seeing" and forms the basis of the English words like "opaque", the other is "other" as in "alias" and "alter". The portion of Saturnalia devoted to Ops was "Opalia", similar to opalus.Īnother common claim that the term is adapted from the Greek word, opillos. It is suggested it was adapted it from Ops, the wife of Saturn and goddess of fertility. References to the gem are made by Pliny the Elder. However, most modern references suggest it is adapted from the Sanskrit word £pala. The word opal is adapted from the Roman term opalus, but the origin of this word is a matter of debate. For gemstone use, its natural color is often enhanced by placing thin layers of opal on a darker underlying stone, like basalt. It varies in optical density from opaque to semi-transparent. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Opal's internal structure makes it diffract light depending on the conditions in which it formed it can take on many colors. Uses: As a gemstone and ornamental stone.ĬLICK HERE To Purchase Kidz Rocks Opal Products. Group: Some minerologists place Opal in the Quartz Group. Chemistry: SiO2 - nH2O Hydrated Silicon Dioxide.
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