Love, Luck & Power

Opal – ‘The stone of Lovers and Artists’ – has always been associated with love, hope and desire. The ancient Greeks and Romans referred to Opal as the ‘Cupid Stone’, because it suggested the clear complexion of the god of love.

The seductive nature of Opal intensifies emotional states and releases inhibitions inspiring passion and romance. Opal stimulates originality and creativity whilst encouraging an interest in the arts.

Luck & The Power of Love

Opal enhances cosmic consciousness and induces psychic and mystical visions. The psychological ability to love oneself is amplifed by wearing opal, helping you realise your full potential. Wearing an opal brings loyalty, faithfulness and spontaneity as it encourages the wearer to put out positive emotions. Thus, Opal is a karmic stone teaching that what you put out comes back. You make your own Luck!

Loving Words

In 18th century France and England, jewellery was often set with gems the first letters of which, combined, formed a motto or expressed a sentiment. Some of the more common ones relating to Opal appear below.

SOUVENIR

POWER

GOOD LUCK

FOREVER

LOVE ME

HOPE

BONHEUR

In the sentimental late nineteenth century, this practice was repeated, and it is still used by romantics today. Word association or the use of one’s own initials can add another dimension to a piece of jewellery, it helps to tell a story which makes for an excellent heirloom.

Devotional Jewellery

Various articles of jewellery have long been associated by use and decoration with religion, although some also have decoration of a secular nature or were used for superstitious reasons or supposed magical powers. Devotion to one’s beliefs, dedication to one’s family, queen or country and the earnest attachment of a mother to her children are themes which are continually revisited in jewellery design:

These acrostic bracelets belonged to Empress Josephine (1763-1814) and have ultimately been inherited by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

One bracelet with eight stones and 157 diamonds reads EUGENE (Emeraude, Unaktie, Grenat, Emeraude, Nicolo, Emeraude). The other with six stones and 147 diamonds reads HORTENSE (Hessonite, Opale, Rubis, Turquoise, Emeraude, Nicolo, Saphire, Emeraude). By her first marriage to Alexander Beauharnais, Josephine had 2 children who were adopted by Napoleon, her son Eugene and daughter Hortense.

The Power of Colour

The symbolism of colour has always played an important role in recommending particular gemstones for special purposes in jewellery:

Red stones have generally been thought to be remedies for bleeding and inflammatory diseases, to provide a calming influence, and remove anger.

Yellow stones were believed to cure bilious disorders and diseases of the liver.

Green stones traditionally have been suggested to correct diseases of the eyes.

Blue stones are prescribed to both calm spirits of darkness and bring the aid of light and ensure sure-footedness.

Multi-coloured Opals may display all the spectral colours so they relate harmoniously with all of the body’s energy centers or Chakras.

Opals can match the best gemstones, tint for tint, and still find strength for laughter and dancing!

Protective Powers

The full spectrum of colours found in multi-coloured Opals resonates with all Chakras and by maintaining balance and harmony can help protect the wearer’s physical and spiritual well being. Opal is a protective stone which can help make the wearer unnoticeable or ‘invisible’, particularly helpful in negotiating ventures into dangerous places. Opal strenghthens the will to live!