The Opal gem is formed when a mineraloid gel gets absorbed into the cracks of limonite, basalt, sandstone, and/or marl rocks and freezes at a low temperature. As this mineraloid gel is quite watery, the Opal in your vintage opal ring itself will contain from 3% to as much as 25% water.
Australia's Contribution
Australia has been a major source of opals supplying 97% of the world's opals. The geology of the continent was just right, so as the sedimentary rock was forming it was also absorbing plenty of water enriched with silica. The opals from this region come in a large variety of colors including orange, yellow, black, white, blue, green, and rose colors.
Color and Light Characteristics of Vintage Opal Rings
Each gem in a vintage opal ring will have its own color pattern with a unique mix of colors and a beautiful background hue. These colors, similar to a rainbow across the sky, run across the opal.
These gems create a dazzling and brilliant color effect when exposed to full spectrum light. This brilliant and varied color has helped keep these rings popular throughout history.
History and Folklore
As with most all vintage jewelry, the ring and the opal of vintage opal rings were created by hand. This give them a uniqueness and characteristic that will arguably never be replaced by the modern mass-manufacturing of today.
Throughout history the opal has made numerous appearances. William Shakespeare nicknamed them "The queen of Gems", some believed they brought good luck and fortune, while one Arabic belief is that they glided down from Heaven.
A Little Extra Care
Opals are a rather brittle gem and should be handle with care. Dropping them onto a hard surface can crack or chip them. It helps to keep moisture in them so they do not dry out. Wearing them on a regular basis can help prevent them from drying because of the oil and modifier from your skin. At the very least try not to store them in a hot, dry place.
See a complete collection of Vintage Opal Rings.