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Opal was a favourite gem amongst the ancients, the first literary record by an Ancient Greek scholar Theophrastos was around 300BC. India may have been a source of Precious Opal, there it was known as ‘Upala’ meaning ‘precious stone’ in Sanskrit. Common Opal is more widely found and there are various known occurrences in the Near East and Europe. The first commercial mines are recorded as being in Olbayana Hungary. In 1597 in Dubnik Slovakia Emperor Rudolf II issued the first Opal mining lease. Artifacts thought to be Opal were found in a Kenyan cave by archaeologist Louis Leakey, none were in fact opal, at a site which was eventually radiocarbon dated to 960BC. The Indian Civilizations of Central America, among them the Aztecs of Mexico, did have Opal artifacts when the Conquistadors encountered them at the turn of the 16th Century, some fine pieces are believed to have been sent back to Europe. Click here for a Chronological History of Opal and a timeline of the Australian Opal Industry. |
By Henry Dunay, magnificent natural Boulder Opal Cameo set lavishly with diamonds in yellow gold. |
