The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-10
FACTS ABOUT THE OPAL.
1t Is No Longer Considered UnIuclxy
and Is i'm High Favor.


Thanks in great measure TO the efforts
of Queen Victoria. who has for many
years made a practice of presenting 1t to
her favorite brides. the superstitIous and
unjust condemnation of the opal as "un-
lucky has almost died out. Nevertheless,
a few old-fashioned folk stil regard this
beautiful stone with suspicion. DO they
know, l wonder, that its reputation after
continuing high and spotless for over two
thousand years was destroyed for while
by the mere caprice of an old gentleman.
who, If learned and admirable in many re-
specis, knew nothing and cared less, about
precious stones? Sush is indeed, the fact
As far back as the year 500 y. c., philos-
opher wrote of the opal: Ills delicate col
ors and tenderness remind me of a loving
and beautiful child" Pliny praised il as
made up of all the glores of all the most
precious gems" The Romans valued IL so
highly that when Nonicos, the senator,
was offered by Mark Anthony an enor-
nous sum for his exquisite stone-which
was as large as a hazenut, and worn in
a ring-he preferred punishment to compil-
ance with the request Of the naughty
Caesar and this, be it remembered, was
no light punishment, as the Romans of
that day, like Romeo regarded death as
pTeIeTdDle TO exile. IN the luludle ages the
opal was still considered to possess the
favor of fortune. II was not until the
fame of Sir Walter Scott caused his novels
to become the chief topic of conversation
in the not too well enlightened upper cir
Giles of England that an unreasoning pre-
judice arose and drove the jewel from
favor. The fatal part played by the opal
in ANNE of Geierstein" influenced the fe-
male mind of the time TO such an extent
that the dread of the stone extended ever
to France and Russia. The Empress Eu-
genie's ladies' in prosperous youthful days
would never, il is said, wear or even touch
an opal In Russia the presence or sight
of one during a shopping expedition would
send a fine lady home forthwith, resolved
to make no more purchases that day.
The word opal" comes from the San
scrit ."upala" a rock, the meaning of
which came TO be "a precious stone" EX-
perts pronounce it to be composed of silica
(or sand and water, but they are unable
TO definitely account for the presence of
the rays of color which, in their ever
changing play, constitute It's beauty.
Whether these be caused by the presence
OF water, by cracks in the stone, or by
air is a moot point, but II is a curious
fact that an opal which is Slick" 6s
jewellers call it-that is to say, which has
become dun and lacking in fire-can be re-
stored to its pristine briliancy by being al
lowed TO absorb clear water. II is also
improved by heat. An astute lapidary will
always warm a specimen in his hand be
fore showing it to a customer, and this
popularity of the stone makes it specially
suitable for wear as a necklace, when it is
displayed to the best advantage. 1t Is very
fragile, and when broken loses all its
co.ors.
Opals come from Hungary, from Queens
land and from Mexico. The Hungarian are
The best The Mexican do not wear as
they turn brown. The varieties of this gem,
in order of value are the precious, or no.
BILE, opal, containing the greatest number
of brilliant tnts; the Harlequin, or SPAN
gled, opal, which reflects these in stars or
spangles; the fire opal or Girasol in which
the reflections are hame-eolored and yell
low; the Hydrophane, which is opaque ex-
cept when subjected to the influence Of
water or of warmth the cachalong, blu
ish Species and the hyaite, which is al.
most transparent, and rejects surrounding
hues. There is also "A comparatively re-
cent discovery, the bamboo of the Philip
pine Islands. 1t is so vivid in color that
it is said to rival the best Hungarian
Stones, but so scarce-oniy one specimen
is the average to the thousand stems
that its value as an article of commerce |
Is comparatively small, especially as its |
size is never considerable.
A few examples in black oDals have been |
discovered in Egypt. Their beauty and |
value are surprising, but their rarity rem
ders them available only 20 the very /
wealthy
The finest stone of modern times belong |
ed to the Empress Josephine. 1t was
called THE Burning Of Troy" as the |
glow in its heart resembled that of shift |
ing flame hence 1t was evidently a fire |
opal The national collection at South |
Kensington possesses some fine speci-
mems. The largest and most beautiful |
one at present in wear by an elegante is
the property of Mrs. Wallace of Chicago, |
and several of our society leaders have |
exquisite opals. The Austrian Regalia is
said to possess one Weighing seventeen |
ounces. It's origin does not seem to be !
known, but merchant Of Amsterdam Of
fered $4,000 for II. He was, of course, re-
fused
The opal Is the birthstone for October
To those born in that month it Is the |
bearer of hope, and Is supposed to keep |
their faith strong. while giving keeness
of mental and bodily sight Other virtues /
attributed to It are the inspiring of faint
hearted with strength, preservation from
poison and contagion, Punishment of sor-
row, and the ensurng Of success in all
loyal enterprises.
But. superstition apart the intrinsic
beauty Of the stone is sufficient to insure
for Il the affection of tdl lovers Of the /
exquisite works Of nature. IL has mys-
terlous charm which sets it apart from
all other jewels. Moreover, may we not |
say that its very fitfulness, the very
OF its loyeliness, makes it