What Are The Properties Of Aurora Opal?
When it comes to gemstones where every gem speaks a story that lies within the beauty of gracious nature, the world especially the Aurora Opal is proof of the cosmic marvel found within the Earth.
This is a beautiful gemstone that looks like a live show of colors that can be compared to the Northern Lights, everyone becomes mesmerized when observing this gemstone. This blog is sure to contain some important and awesome facts about opal gemstones.
However, in this blog, we are going to give you a closer look at the Aurora Opal, its features, and the most enchanting aspect that makes it even more special than other gems out there.
The Origin of the Aurora Opal
The Aurora Opal starts its cycle deep within the crust of the planet; water becomes trapped in silica sediments. Across the centuries they accumulate and after millions of years, with the right amount of heat and pressure, they turn into opal.
The Aurora Opal, in particular, is a result of this geological marvel and can exist in areas that produce opals including Australia, Ethiopia, and Brazil. Every deposit implies certain variations of the stone experience, due to the peculiarities of the conditions that existed when the stone was being formed.
The Play-of-Color Phenomenon
The typical feature of the Aurora Opal is the so-called play-of-color – an effect that resembles the spectacle of the colors that search for their reflection in the mirror. This happens because when the light passes through the material composed of the extremely small silica spheres forming the opal it will diffract.
The size and the position of these spheres define the diapason and the saturation of the colors observed. In the Aurora Opal, this play-of-color is more vivid and this often depicts a range such as the auroras with deep green and blue to the fiery red and purple.
Physical Characteristics
Aurora Opal is also an opal and hence it is without any crystal structure like all the opal minerals. This gives it a unique set of physical characteristics: This gives it a unique set of physical characteristics:
1. Hardness:
The Aurora Opal is rated between 5 on the Mohs scale. 5 and 6. 5. Although it is somewhat softer in comparison with most of the other gems, it is still possible to maintain the stunning appearance of the stone for many years if proper actions are taken.
2. Specific Gravity:
It splits well, and its hardness is approximately 5.5 to 6, while its specific gravity is 1. 98 to 2. 25, indicating its lightness. This property, together with the play-of-color that is brought out so openly, makes it a preferred gemstone for pieces that do not impose heavy wear on the client.
3. Fracture and Luster:
The common cleavage or fracture of the Aurora Opal is conchoidal, therefore when it’s broken, the surface area is curved. It exhibits vitreous to resinous luster making it even more attractive.
4. Water Content:
Another interesting fact about opals is that the Aurora Opal stone is not an exception – opals contain up to 5% water, 3 % to 21%, to be exact. This water content is a part of the internal structure of the opal and the diffraction of the light to form the play-of-color.
Optical Properties
It is here so to speak that the Aurora Opal comes into its own, quite literally as it happens. A lot of people believe that the mystical optical properties of this stone remind them of a Labradorite. Since the silica spheres within the stone are not uniform in size and distribution it makes the play of light on the stone look dynamic and living.
This is not only an eye candy but physics and geology coming alive in close harmony.
1. Transparency:
Aurora Opals are mainly transparent to opaque. The openness depends on the degree of the density of the stone: with transparent stones, the spectrum of the play-of-color is more intensive.
2. Color Base:
They come in different colors of the body either white black or even can be transparent like the aurora opal. A darker or black base color generally increases the contrast of play-of-color making it more pronounced.
3. Pattern:
The play-of-color pattern can be different: freely branching and, at the same time, having a rather large size of the color flashes; or it can be very delicate, with scores of point Joyce. Each pattern is different, which partially defines the individuality of an Aurora Opal.
There is a lot more left to learn about Opal and you can check out: All about Opal: A Simple Guide.
Metaphysical Properties
- The Aurora Opal is not only a stone of centimeters and angles with a stunning luminosity, the beauty of which is further enhanced by the brilliance of light reflections but also a stone of metaphysical qualities.
- In different cultures, opals are considered stones of hope, purity, and in a way stones telling the truth. Just like Moonstone, these stones are highly sought after because of these powers.
- From the magnificent colors of the Aurora Opal, this gemstone is said to help in enhancing creativity, originality, and self-expression.
- Most people link it with the crown chakra, meaning it has energies that are related to spirituality, enlightenment, and things of that nature.
- To complement these meanings, wearing an Aurora Opal is believed to invite harmony into the wearer’s life and, therefore, it is all about bringing the universe into people’s lives.
The Art of Crafting Aurora Opal Jewelry
It becomes a truly creative endeavor to turn rough Aurora Opal into a beautiful jewel that can be worn. Due to the individuality of the stone per instrument, jewelers should ensure that its organic colors are complimented.
1. Cutting and Shaping:
The Aurora Opal cutting can be described as a sensitive procedure. Due to it being relatively softer and having higher water content, jewelers have to map each cut properly with the aim of not causing the stone to crack but fully utilizing its play-of-color.
Cabochon cuts, in which the crown is flat and the pavilion is domed, are preferred to help reveal more of the stone’s oil-sheen effect.
2. Setting:
The environment in which the Aurora Opal jewelry is placed also aims at guarding the stone but at the same time revealing it in the best possible way possible. Bezel settings are widely applied to keep the stone horizontal and minimize the chances of its destruction by embracing it with metal.
Prong settings are also utilized, but one has to pay a bit more attention to make sure that the stone is well-fixed.
3. Design:
In Aurora Opal’s jewelry creations, many of the designs originate from the theme of nature and the universe because of the stone’s ethereal properties. Chaste and at the same time delicate designs in metals, including gold or silver, harmonize with the brusque colors of the opal, producing jewelry that is both classic and fashionable.
Caring for Your Aurora Opal
1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures:
Temperature shock is also another factor that affects opal; if the temperature changes suddenly, then it will crack. Laying the stone in direct sunlight or proximal to any heat-producing source should also be discouraged.
2. Moisture Maintenance:
Since an opal has water in it if for whatever reason the opal dries up it can become very fragile. Humidifying, for example by leaving your Aurora Opal in a wet environment or even submerging it in water from time to time, will allow it to be preserved.
3. Gentle Cleaning:
If your Aurora Opal has been cleaned, wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth a mixture of warm water, and a drop of dish soap. Do not use harsh chemicals for cleaning and never immerse the stone in ultrasonic cleaner.
4. Protective Storage:
When your Aurora Opal jewelry is not in use, it should be kept in a jewelry box or a soft pouch and handy to avoid damage such as scratches.
Conclusion
Aurora Opal is not just a gem, it is a cosmic treasure, a fragment of the sky made real on this planet. Many people consider these properties of opal as that they have the striking play-of-color, fine-grained structure, and unique optical effects which make it one of nature’s most precious gems.
Whether used as an accessory or appreciated entirely organically, the Aurora Opal is about the beauty of the art as nature created and the unfathomable beauty that flaunts beneath the surface of the earth.
As you welcome this gemstone into your life, may we allow the mystique of its beauty and share the legacy of the colors it possesses.
