The air was thick with the smell of sweet rain. The clouds had not moved in as of yet, but they hung heavy in the air, pregnant with precipitation. Slow, deep rumbles of thunder could be heard to the attentive ear. A flare of lightning carved an alabaster line through the sky and struck the awaiting ground. An eruption of color and a shower of precious brilliantly-colored stones fell from the sky, sinking into the ground to be found only by the most diligent of searchers.

Of course, we now know that opals did not fall from the sky in such a fashion, but try telling that to the ancient Arabians. Truly, opals are composed of silica and water. Silica from decaying rock would be captured by underground water, forming a kind of silica paste which would harden over time. Eventually, it would turn into the beautiful gemstone that signifies the birthstone of October.

There are many different kinds of opals, including the wood opal, fire opal, and pipe opal. My personal preference is the light opal. These are the white or translucent opals that appear to be almost pearly until you lean in and your eyes take in the brilliant flecks of color. Even in their rough form, freshly extracted from the earth, the array of colors in the rock is breathtaking.

Contrary to popular belief, opals do not bring bad luck to those who wear them. A popular novel entitled Anne of Geuerstein (by Sir Walter Scott, written in 1829) instilled the belief that opals would bring bad luck to the wearer. For five decades, the opal market deteriorated. It was only when a gorgeous black opal was discovered that the market recovered, but still some suspicions existed.

I have given opals as gifts and the wearers have suffered no consequences. I believe that the opal was given the name "Precious Stone" for a reason. They are a beautiful and rare stone that reflects the colors of a soft rainbow. I hope that this article has informed you in some way of the truth surrounding the opal. I would also hope that maybe now that you are aware of how the superstition that opals bring bad luck came about, a man-made book, you will not be afraid to purchase and wear these beloved gemstones.