Opal is one of the few gemstones that never looks quite the same twice.
Turn it slightly and flashes of green may become orange. Move it again and the blue can disappear altogether. This shifting display of colour has fascinated people for thousands of years—and inspired stories involving rainbows, lightning and hidden powers.
It is also the reason opal developed one of the strangest reputations in jewellery. If you have ever heard that opals bring bad luck, the real story is far more interesting than the superstition.
What is opal?
Unlike sapphire or quartz, opal does not have a crystalline structure. It is a mineraloid—a hydrated form of silica containing microscopic silica spheres and water.
Opal can contain up to approximately 20% water, although the amount varies between individual stones and deposits.
In precious opal, silica spheres of a sufficiently uniform size are arranged in an orderly structure. When light passes through this structure, it is diffracted into different wavelengths, creating the shifting flashes known as play-of-colour.
Common opal has a less orderly internal structure and does not display the same play-of-colour, although it can still appear in beautiful shades of pink, blue, green, white and orange.
Because the internal arrangement is never exactly identical from one natural stone to another, every precious opal has its own combination of colours, patterns and flashes.
Its structure also means that opal needs slightly more thoughtful care than harder gemstones—something worth considering when choosing opal jewellery.
What does opal symbolise?
Long before opal became October’s birthstone, people were already trying to explain its unusual colours.
The Roman writer Pliny the Elder described opal as displaying the fire of ruby, the purple of amethyst and the green of emerald. The stone was greatly admired in the Roman world and later became associated with hope and good fortune.
In Bedouin folklore, opals were sometimes imagined as containing lightning that had fallen from the sky during thunderstorms. European gemstone lore also connected opal with sight, imagination and hidden powers.
Stories surrounding opal differ considerably between cultures, but they often share the same sense of wonder. A gemstone that appeared to change whenever it moved naturally became associated with possibility, transformation and mystery.
Today, opal is commonly linked with:
- Creativity
- Emotional expression
- Imagination
- Hope
- Transformation
- New beginnings
Opal is also an October birthstone and is traditionally associated with the fourteenth wedding anniversary, making opal jewellery a meaningful gift for both occasions.
Why did opal become associated with bad luck?
Opal’s reputation for bad luck is much more recent than many people assume.
One of the best-known explanations comes from Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein. In the story, a mysterious character wears an enchanted opal that changes with her emotions. After the stone is touched with holy water, it loses its colour and its wearer dies shortly afterwards.
The novel became widely read and is often credited with strengthening opal’s association with misfortune in nineteenth-century Europe.
The superstition was never universally accepted. Queen Victoria wore opals and gave opal jewellery as gifts, demonstrating that the gemstone continued to be admired despite its darker literary reputation.
There was also a more practical reason why stories about unlucky opals persisted.
Opal ranks approximately 5–6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it more vulnerable to scratches and impact than sapphire or diamond. Some opals can also develop fine fractures known as crazing, particularly after exposure to high heat or sudden temperature changes.
When opals were set into rings and worn without suitable care, they could chip or crack. Rather than recognising the material’s natural limitations, people sometimes blamed the gemstone—and the existing superstition provided a convenient explanation.
In reality, opal’s reputation says far more about literature and jewellery care than it does about the stone itself.
What to know when buying opal jewellery
If you are choosing opal jewellery today, the myths matter much less than understanding what you are buying.
Opal is particularly well suited to earrings, pendants and necklaces because these pieces are less likely to receive repeated knocks during everyday wear.
Opal rings can also be worn, but they benefit from protective settings and more mindful care, especially when worn frequently. It is sensible to remove an opal ring before gardening, exercising, cleaning or doing manual work.
It is also important to know that not every opal sold in jewellery has the same construction.
You may come across:
- Solid natural opal, cut from a single piece of naturally formed opal rather than assembled from separate layers.
- Opal doublets, made from a thin layer of natural opal attached to a darker backing, which can make the colours appear more distinct.
- Opal triplets, which add a transparent protective cap above a thin opal layer and backing.
- Lab-created opal, produced under controlled conditions to reproduce the structure and appearance of natural precious opal. Its colour pattern is often more regular or consistent.
- Imitation opal, made from materials such as glass, resin or plastic and designed to resemble opal without having the same structure.
These options have different appearances, prices and care requirements. Natural solid opal is generally valued for its rarity and individuality, while doublets, triplets and lab-created opals can offer an attractive appearance at a more accessible price.
The important thing is that the material is described clearly, so you know exactly what you are buying.
At Gembee, we believe transparency matters just as much as beauty.
→ Explore our natural opal jewellery collection
How to care for opal jewellery
Opal jewellery does not need to be kept hidden away, but it should be treated more gently than harder gemstone jewellery.
To help protect it:
- Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
- Keep it away from harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products.
- Avoid high heat and sudden temperature changes.
- Remove opal rings before exercise, gardening, cleaning or manual work.
- Store opal separately from harder gemstones that may scratch it.
- Clean solid opal gently using warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.
Doublets and triplets require additional care because their layers are joined with adhesive. They should not be soaked in water, as prolonged moisture exposure may affect the layers.
If you are unsure whether your opal is solid, assembled or lab-created, ask the seller before cleaning it.
Frequently asked questions
What does opal symbolise?
Opal is commonly associated with hope, creativity, imagination, transformation and emotional expression. Its changing colours have inspired stories involving light, rainbows and hidden powers across different periods and cultures.
It is also recognised as an October birthstone and is traditionally given for a fourteenth wedding anniversary.
Is opal really bad luck?
No. Opal’s unlucky reputation is a superstition rather than a property of the gemstone.
The belief is often linked with Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein, as well as misunderstandings caused by opal being more vulnerable to scratches, chips and temperature changes than harder gemstones.
Why does opal change colour?
Precious opal contains microscopic silica spheres arranged in an orderly structure. This structure diffracts visible light into different wavelengths.
As the stone, viewer or light source moves, different colours become visible, producing the shifting effect known as play-of-colour.
Does every opal show rainbow colours?
No. Precious opal displays play-of-colour, but common opal does not.
Common opal can still have an attractive body colour and may appear pink, blue, green, orange or white without producing rainbow-like flashes.
Can you wear opal every day?
Opal earrings, pendants and necklaces can generally be worn regularly with appropriate care because they are less exposed to hard knocks.
Opal rings can also be worn, but they require greater protection. Remove them before exercise, cleaning, gardening or manual work, and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Is natural opal better than lab-created opal?
It depends on what matters most to you.
Natural opal is valued for its rarity and individuality because every stone forms differently. Lab-created opal can provide a similar colourful appearance at a lower price and often has a more regular pattern.
Both can be legitimate choices when the material is accurately disclosed. Neither should be confused with imitation opal made from glass, resin or plastic.
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