Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-06-01
FACTS ABOUT oPALs.
Where the Finest Specimens of the
Gem Are Obtained.

famous hungarian mines were not dis
covered until late in the fifteenth CEN
tury, and were, of course, unknown TO
the Romans. The principal mines
from whence opals are obtained to-
day are situated in Hungary and Hon
duras. The American opal lacks the
hardness of the Hungarian gem, but
it is fully as brilliant and withstands
atmospheric inroads upon the colors
quite as well. The magnificent charac-
teristic of the gem, which gives it value
and renown, is the brilliant combi-
nation of colored reflections which it
displays, and when the stone is held in
the sunlight, the Latin philosopher
was correct in stating that it was made
up of the glories of the most precious
stones.
The gem is found not only in porce-
lain earth but also in assures and seams
of old igneous rocks. Quartz, when
/ Hawed in the interior, sometimes ex-
hibits remarkable iridescence, and re-
sembles the opal especially when view
ed at distance. Such specimens are
called iris. The elegant iris ornaments
worn by the Empress Josephine were
of remarkable brilliancy and the Won
der and envy Of the Imperial court.
She als5 possessed the finest opal of
modern times, which was only displayed
when arrayed in all the grandeur Of
: IYnraaTsia1 srN1ovdnsa txvas- ir,1A,1 ..
fitting ornament for so beautiful wo-
man. Its flashing rays of light were so
powerful and vivid as to give the APP
pearance of living flames of fire, and
dir de Troien-the burning of Troy.
The fate of the gem is unknown, but
with the history of the fair owner the
most casual reader is familiar.
Empress Eugenie had superstitious
dread, amounting to positive aversion,
FOR the beautiful opal. and the stone
was stranger at the brilliant court
1t is possible that Eugene may have
been influenced in her hatred of the
gem from Jo5ephine's fondness for the
same, and attributed to the mysterious
workings OF the fiery mineral some sub
tie, maligu influence that conspired to
bring about her downfall. But the
fact remains inscribed upon the pages
of history that, although the opal was
vigorously banished from Versailles
and the Tuilleries, Eugene fled from
Paris under cover of darkness, COVER
ing with terror in the dusty dephts OF a
shabby vehicle, as the roar OF raging
populace reached her ears.
The famous opal of history was that
which was worn in ring by the Roman
Senator Nonius in the days OF the
Triumvirate. Its size scarcely exceed
ed that of hazel nut, yet its beauty
and brilliancy rendered it a marvel
among the dilettanti of Rome, and it
was valued at nearly $1,000,000. Marc
Antony, bearing in mind the sacrifice
of Cleopatra's incompatible pearl, and
still enslaved by the Egyptian Queens
irresistible charms, made overtures
for the opal, intending TO present it to
the dusky beauty; but Nonius refused
TO part with his cherished gem, and
sought safety in flight. The extreme
beauty and charm may be estimated
when it is known that to a Roman
Punishment was worse than death.
History makes no further mention of
this wonderful opal. 1t has disappear
ed from the worlds collection Of gems,
and its glories have probably yielded
to the destructive effects Of time.
The fire opal is found in its greatest
perfection in the porphyritic rocks at
Zimapan, Mexico. 1t is generally Of a
hyacinth red color, and CLEANS forth
with flashes of brilliant carmine, with
yellow and green scintillations. The
Mexican production surpasses all other
varieties in the intensity and gorgeous
ness of its hues, but it will not bear
exposure, and the sensitive surface
soon loses its flashing beauties. They
bring exorbitant prices in Mexico
when sold to the unwary. who learn all
too soon, upon returning 10 the haunts
OF civilization, that they had paid
nearly fifty per cent. too much for the
gems. The Spanish historians, in their
marvellous stories Of the wonders seen
in Mexico at the time OF the conquest,
describe the image Of the mystic idol
Quetzalcoau (god OF the air), on the
great pyramid of Cholula, as wearing
inter waving with plumes Of fire,
and which was supposed to have been
produced by masses OF fire opal.
The colors displayed by the opal en-
brace all the tints in the solar spec
trum. The shades Of green, blue, yell
low and red are vivid and clear. The
purchase af opals in the rough, natural
state is hazardous as a speculation, for
frequently after having left the hand
of the lapidary the stone has become
transparent, hueless stone. The Gem
trail American opal in numerous in
stances has been known TO fade and
L. III