(Pendant measures approximately 0.9" x  0.35" including bail)
*Rhodium plated for tarnish resistance

Natural Ethiopian Opal

Best used for:

Manifesting hopes and wishes
Energetic shielding by transforming negativity
Activates intuition and brings visions

•  A stone of Hope, Purity, and Truth
• Opens the way for spiritual awakening and spiritual transformation; activates psychic ability, psychic communication, clairvoyance, and prophetic dreaming
• Brings forth one’s inner-beauty, draws love, and allows one to channel their passion in whatever direction they so choose, romantic or otherwise
• Strengthens will and determination, helps in the success of manifesting one’s goals through creative energy
• Attracts good luck, new opportunities, joy, and prosperity
• Provides a shield against negativity and transmutes negative energy into positive influences— excellent for psychic and spiritual protection

History and Lore:

• The history of Opal as a stone of “Bad Luck” (if it was not your birthstone), began with a popular fictional novel written by Sir Walter Scott titled, Anne of Geierstein or The Maiden of the Mist (1829). In this story, the demise of the character Lady Hermione was connected with an opal that she would always wear. When accidentally splashed with holy water, the fire within was extinguished, she falls ill, then nothing but a pile of ashes is found in her bed the next morning. Opal sales dropped by 50% in the following month! In the mid-1800s sales recovered only to plummet again following the release of a story, The Opal Ring by Charles Dickens, about a stone that brings nothing but misfortune. Unfortunate association and the delicate nature of opals led people to worry that their gems being damaged would cause them to fall ill, suffer bad luck, or worse. Prior to the 1800s, cultures around the world believed opals to be Good Luck.
• The Ancient Greeks believed it bestowed the gift of prophecy as well as guarded against all disease and illness
• Ancient Romans knew it as Thunderstone, or Ceraunium (Latin, from keraunios and κεραυνός keraunós: Lightning, Thunderbolt), from the nomadic Bedouin tribes of the Sahara who believed opals fell from the skies during thunderstorms, and contained lightning trapped within
• In the Middle Ages, it was believed opals were powerful and contained the virtues of every gemstone whose color was found within

Additional Information:

• Ethiopian Opals are also known as Welo Opal (also Wello / Wollo), named after the Wollo Province of northern Ethiopia; originally discovered in Shewa Province (1994), followed by additional discoveries in Wollo Province (2008 & 2013); up until that time Australia was the primary source for precious opals providing up to 95% of what was available
• Opal forms when silica-rich water seeps into cracks  and voids within the earth— with evaporation over geological time, through deposition, in the right conditions, it leaves behind what becomes opal
• It is a mineraloid (non-crystalline), amorphous hydrated silica (SiO₂•nH₂O) with variable water content usually between 6-10%
• Precious (Noble) Opals display an inner-fire or play-of-color, caused by diffraction of light through very small apertures between the microscopic silica spheres within the structure of the stone, like a prism
• Common Opals do not feature this inner-fire
• Most Opals from Ethiopia are Hydrophane Opals: with a porous structure that has the ability to absorb water which may change the color and/or transparency of the stone
• According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) it is NOT recommended to immerse these stones in water for extended periods of time as  micro-inclusions and non-visible minute internal cracks may become enlarged cracks with absorption of excess water beyond the stone’s original water content; saturation of the stone, then drying out over the course of a few days to weeks, will cause durability issues and undue stress on its structure!
• Because of its porosity, this stone may be treated: dyed bright, unusual/unnatural colors; smoke or sugar/acid treatments to darken the stone— look for dye or coloring that adheres to tiny imperfections on the surface as well as within inclusions that penetrate the stone
• Superstitions of Opals being “Bad Luck” if it is not your birthstone came about because it is such a delicate stone prone to breakage and color loss— it is an easy explanation as to why this would occur, for those who do not understand the fragile nature of this gem

Availability: Uncommon
Hardness: 5 - 6.5 

Suggested Cleansing Methods: Moonlight
Caution: stone is brittle and prone to cracking, do not expose to heat, extreme temperature changes, harsh cleaning chemicals, no ultrasonic cleaners.  Avoid very low humidity environments.

Opal will retain its beauty if kept away from extreme temperature shifts which may damage the stone.  Avoid caustic alkaline solutions such a jewelry polish dips - will damage stone.  Softer stone - use nothing abrasive, will scratch. Do not immerse in water - should your opal get wet, use a soft non-abrasive cloth to dry soon after.

✰ This information serves as a quick guide of subjective metaphysical properties for crystals & gemstones formed through personal experience as well as research of historical and cultural customs & practices. Each person is unique and will experience crystals in their own way depending on their life’s experiences.

✰ Crystals and gemstones are tools used for living a more positive life and should be used to empower yourself to transform and grow. We possess within ourselves everything that we need to live life fully. Crystals and gemstones serve as a visual and energetic tool to help us on our path. We should not give our power away to them. They are not meant to be a substitute for medical attention.