Ä [41] PODS Crystals, Gem, Gematra (93:9300/0) ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ LAPIDAR Ä
 From : Tandika Star                        93:9600/5       Fri 12 Mar 93 22:20 
 Subj : Opal                                                                    
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OPAL

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Opal is hydrous silica, often with some iron and
aluminum. Its chemistry is SiO2.nH2O; amount of water varies up to 10 percent.
It ranges in color from White, yellow, red, pink, brown to gray, blue and even
colorless. It is most easily recognized by its rich internal play of colors
(opalescence). Its hardness ranges from 5-1/2 to 6-1/2. It is vitreous and
pearly. The streak is white. It is not found in crystal form, rather is is
usually massive, botryoidal, reniform, stalactitic, and/or earthy.

ENVIRONMENT: Opal is a low-temperature mineral and usually develops in a wide
variety of rocks as cavity and fracture fillings. It requently develops as
amygdules in basalt and rhyolite of volcanic rock and replaces the cells in wood
and the shells of clams.

OCCURENCE: Common opal is widespread and can be readily obtained at many places,
but localities for precious opal are rare and seem to localized in W United
States and Mexico. Magnificent examples of opalized wood can be found in Idaho,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, and lively green fluorescing opal
(hyalite) occurs in seams in pegmatites in New England and North Carolina and in
cavities in basalt near Klamath Falls, Oregon. Beautiful precious opal, as a
replacement in wood, has been obtained in Virgin Valley, Humboldt Co., Nevada.
Excellent fire and precious opal occur in laval flows in N Mexico. Nevada,
Australia, and Honduras are sources for black opal; Australia and Czechoslovakia
for white opal; Mexico and SW United States for fire opal.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION: Black, dark blue, dark green opal with dark gray body
color and fine play of colors is called [black opal;] opal with white or light
body color and fine play of color is called [white opal;] and transparent to
translucent opal with body color ranging from orange-yellow to red and a play of
colors is called [fire opal.] Play of colors depends upon interference of light
and is not dependent upon body color. Black opal is the most highly prized, and
fire opal is the most valued of the orange and red varieties. Most opal is
fashioned into cabochons, but some fire opals are faceted.

NAME: The word is from the Sanskrit [upala,] meaning "precious stone."

LEGEND and LORE: Opal is a birthstone for October.

    "October's child is born for woe,
    And life's vicissitudes must know;
    But lay an  Opal on her breast,
    And hope will lull those foes to rest." (5)

Opals have traditionally been considered "lucky" stones...but only for those
born in the month of October. It has been considered bad luck to wear them if
you were born in any other month.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Opal is considered to be able to confer the gift of
invisibility on its wearer. To accomplish this, Cunningham says "The gem was
wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and carried for this purpose." He also says, "Opals
are also worn to bring out inner beauty. A beauty spell: Place a round mirror on
the altar or behind it so that you can see your face within it while kneeling.
Place two green candles on eithe side of the mirror. Light the candles. Empower
an opal with your need for beauty -- while holding the stone, gaze into your
reflection. With the scalpel of your visualization, mold and form your face (and
your body) to the form you desire. Then, carry or wear the opal and dedicate
yourself to improving your appearance." (2)

HEALING: Opals contain all the colors of the other stones, thus, it could be
used in place of any of them. (They are akin to quartz crystals, in this
aspect.) Generally speaking, Opal is used more frequently for healing the
spirit, rather than the physical body.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Opals are probably my favorite stone. This may be partially
due to the fact that they are my birthstone, and I have been surrounded by them
all of my life. For me, they are protective and invigorating. I normally use
them during Journeying, and when doing "readings" for other...anything where I
am using altered states of consciousness. I find that they help me to understand
the symbols of my visions in a way that makes them meaningful for others.

-------bibliography-------

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurance and Name are from (or paraphrased from)
"The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals".

2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of
Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.

3. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey
Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

4. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks,
by <grin> Tandika Star.

5. Birthday poem from "The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones" by
William T. Fernie, M.D.

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