San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-03-21
THE OPAL.
How and Where &c is Fopnd 4,
What Quantities-The Value of
the StoDe-Superstitio
REGARDING Then,

"hat Quantities-The Value of
the StODe-Supe rstitions
Regarding Them.
When looking at an opal. person not
pretty little stone is found and of what r.
exists. The former question we will try
to explain; the latter can be answered
easily by looking in an encyclopedia.
There are a number of varieties of the
opal known, the most valuable of which
is the Precious or Noble Opals, which are
found in and about Kaschau, Hungary,
this continent. Another equally valuable
, is the dark or black stone, a variety ting
ed with oxide of iron, and which gives off
beautiful reflections. This is also an
oriental stone but is oftener found
in Mexico and South America.
The common opal, which is found in de-
posits of clay and is of either white, yell
low, green, red or brown color, is Of but
little value.
OpalS of all kinds are found in Mexico,
the finest and greater quantity in Guada
lajara, or in or about the city Of San
Louis Potosi. They are found in small
| mines or pockets, in which are found from
one to hundreds or thousands, as the case
| may be.
ing their nests often dig into
| a opal mine and when they bring them to
the surface by way of getting them out
| of their way. Some person may happen
that way and fad the Opals, perhaps
among which are some of great value.
The chances are that no one will find
| the m and they will remain on the surface
| I'm til covered by other matter brought up
! by the ants or dirt piled on them by the
| rain.
| These stones are sometimes found in
Texas, but very seldom, and are general
| ly OF very little value.
A person may be playing and by chance
! break a stone in which is stored small
| pocket of these gems, and perhaps
! enough to pay him {. handsome
| price. No one is advised TO break
stones in hopes of striking the
| gems, as one might follow that occupa-
| ton through life and never find stone
/ worth taking out of its bed.
! The opal varies in prices according to
| its kind and size The Common Opal is of
| very little value, ranging in price from 10
| cents TO as many dollars. whe Precious
| or Noble Opal and dark stones are some
times of immense value, ranging from
| twenty five dollars to as many
| hundred dollars and sometimes nearly as
many thousands of dollars. Very few of
| the fine ones exist and what do ere most
| ly owned in Europe by some prince, or
| elsewhere by some one equally as
| wealthy.
Some of these stones have in them colors
| not very we'll diffused These are called
| Harlequin opalS by jewellers and are
| easily broken as they are cracked where
| ever the lines run.
| In Mexico the stone can be bought very
cheaply. The Mexican women seldom
| wear them in jewelry. 1t is strange, too,
| that these lovely gems are so unpopular.
| One reason for this is the belieEheId by
| many of the most cultivated people that
! the gem is unlucky and and possessed
| of an evil omen. BY some it is
| termed the Devils Diamond" or
| "Serpents Eye" If person
! is seen about to purchase one, by these
| superStitiouS ones, they will invariably
| warn the purchaser of the foolhardineS S
of his attempt and try to get them
| not to buy.
The MeXicans have no such superstit-
| iouS scrupieS, unless it be in the higher
| class, and they trade and barter for them
| and sell them to the tourist who may
take fancy TO them, and think he has
| done no harm whatever.
| OpalS are found all over Mexico, Central
| America and South America, but most in
| the former country and of the best class.
| The common opal can be found in album
dance in Mexico. American tourists and
| lnvalids staying at Monterey and Topo
Chico springs generally return to this
country well supplied with these little
| gems, and among their collections some
good stones are often found.