Opal - The Color Changing Stone
Opal : Introduction Also known as the October Birthstone and the 14th and 18th anniversary stone, the opal is one of nature's greatest splendors. The colors can vary in any color of the rainbow. The most striking quality of opal is its ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The interplay of different wavelengths of light gives opal its unique visual appeal and makes it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. It is definitely one of the world's most beautiful and precious gemstone. The word opal derives from various languages: in Sanskrit upala, meaning "precious stone", in Latin, the opalus and Greek opallios, both meaning "to see the color change". Opal: History The earliest known opal artifacts were discovered back from 4000 BC in Ethiopia. These artifacts were discovered later in a cave in Kenya by a famous archeologist, Louis Leakey. Opal was stated to have magical qualities and also to aid its wearer in seeing unlimit...