kristin
09-28-2006, 02:05 PM
Opal – One of October’s Birthstones
In ancient Rome, this gem symbolized love and hope. The Romans gave it a name –opalus- that was synonymous with “precious stone”.
Opal is the produce of seasonal rains that drenched dry ground in regions such as the Australia’s semi desert outback. The showers soak deep into ancient underground rock, carrying dissolved silica downward. During the dry periods, much of the water evaporated leaving a solid deposit of silica in the cracks between the layers of underground sedimentary rock. Opals still contain a significant amount of water, usually about 3 to 10%. There are many types of opal but white, black and fire opal are the most common.
In ancient Rome, this gem symbolized love and hope. The Romans gave it a name –opalus- that was synonymous with “precious stone”.
Opal is the produce of seasonal rains that drenched dry ground in regions such as the Australia’s semi desert outback. The showers soak deep into ancient underground rock, carrying dissolved silica downward. During the dry periods, much of the water evaporated leaving a solid deposit of silica in the cracks between the layers of underground sedimentary rock. Opals still contain a significant amount of water, usually about 3 to 10%. There are many types of opal but white, black and fire opal are the most common.