What Exactly Does an Opal Engagement Ring Mean?

 “There are worlds in an opal.” – Terri Guillemets.

Anyone who has seen an iridescent, shimmering opal understands how captivating the stone's celestial hues are. Opal engagement rings are now a popular choice for brides with a bohemian aesthetic looking for a dreamlike substitute for diamonds because they are ethereal and unexpected. We at Emily engagement ring would like to celebrate October's enchanting birthstone, the opal, and all that makes it a lovely option for an engagement ring as winter creeps into the air and we get an inch closer to Christmas.

Origin of Opal

Opals have a distinguished history that is extensively recorded. The Sanskrit term upala, which means "precious stone," is thought to have given rise to the word "opal," which later became opallios, which means "to notice a change in hue." Opals are made when stored rainfall evaporates in sedimentary rock layers, leaving silica deposits. Opals are found all over the world. The size and arrangement of these tiny bits of silica, which are responsible for the rainbow-like colors in precious opals (known as the "play-of-color"), determine the stone's grade and give each opal its own distinct, one-of-a-kind colors.

Types of Opals

You can choose from various opal alternatives, depending on your preferences in terms of color and price range. Opal kinds differ widely, from nearly transparent crystal opals to the somber, dark black opal. Most of the stones in opal engagement rings are natural opals, which typically have a base tone ranging from colorless to medium gray. Want a more natural atmosphere? Boulder opal is an opal and host rock concoction that forms naturally. While Peruvian or blue opals occur in many degrees of blue-green, fire opals, also known as Mexican fire opals, are transparent to translucent and have warm colors of yellow, orange, and red. The darkest and rarest opals are black opals, and their cost reflects their relative rarity. Synthetic opals are a choice, like many gemstones, and may be distinguished from real opals due to the uniformity of the silica patterns.

Opal Engagement Ring Meaning

If you're looking for significance in a handcrafted engagement ring stone, the opal's rich history will please you. Due to their unsettling brilliance, opals have been shrouded in mystery since the Middle Ages. Opals are said to ward off evil spirits or be associated with ill luck, depending on the legend. Opals were given to wives by ancient Roman aristocrats as good luck charms because they believed them to be the most valuable and effective gemstone. This kind of romantic meaning is still there today. Currently, it is believed that opals promote creativity and symbolise faithfulness. Because they perfectly capture the unique spark and fire of your relationship, opals make the perfect engagement ring, and their rarity is a significant draw for those looking for a particular engagement ring.

Opal Engagement Ring Durability

Opals score between 5.5 and 6.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them softer than other gemstones. Opal rings require special care to wear and maintain because of their softness, just like other engagement rings. 14k opal rings are not meant to be worn all the time. If you have your heart set on an opal, you must be honest with yourself about your jewelry-care habits. We can ensure that you begin with a high-quality stone and put it in your engagement ring design that will help preserve the opal from ordinary errors and accidents if you work with an experienced jewelry designer like Emily Amey Jewelry. Trust us, shattering your engagement ring is no fun.