White opal has a white or light body color with flashes of many colors.
Black opal has a black, dark blue, dark green or gray body color with vivid flashes of color such as red, pink and bright green. Opal is the October birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage. Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. In the Middle Ages, young, fair-haired girls wore opals in their hair to protect its lovely blond color. Medieval writers believed opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose.