History of Opal
It's incredible to see how something as beautiful as an opal could be considered bad Luck and all attributed to a few writings that have been pulled out of context and perpetuated for nothing more than greed/profit by rich organizations who wish to deal in diamonds and take from customers 10 times more money than what they are truly worth. Some of the myths have come from Kings who have severely punished servants for not knowing the characteristics of Opal. Other mishaps include people who are schemeing in their ways of deceit and dishonesty and have been tripped up as a result of their own folly. But it is Opal that suffers the blame. Is this not also the same analogy of when Christ walked on the earth and was blamed, accused and beaten and put to death on the cross? Opal is the Lord's Paintbrush at work, for in these precious stones lays the history of events and people and creation all tied together by the beautiful play and display of colors arranged in such a fashion, that it is breathtaking and awe-inspiring...
It is true that an Opal is not as hard as a diamond, but a diamond will damage easier than you may think, Did you know that a diamond will turn to powder if stepped on or rolled over by a tire?
Opal is described as being soft and that is one description that doesn't help, when you think of the term "soft" you are thinking mallable? pillow type soft? Squishy? Do you see the path that this beautiful stone is being subjected to and forced down. Why is it that mankind tries to destroy that which is so beautiful? Is it nothing more than egotistical maniacs with an inferiority complex that feel threatened?
Opal is a personality stone and in owning one, one should strive for honesty, and pureness of heart, and an appreciation of this world's beauty. I would bet that if everyone owned an opal and thought of it in that sense, there would be alot less war in the world. Imagine the irony if two armies on the battlefield got together to admire and trade opal? Rather than fight with violence and bloodshed? Worst case scenario is that they could throw opal at one another!
What would happen if everyone gave each other an opal? I know it has brought peace and tranquility to portions of my life. I've given Opal away to hardworking hourly folks as well as students going to college. It brings something new to their life in such a time of need and in the midst of a world that is filled with chaos.
Opal comes from many parts of the world and Australia has some of the most stable opal in the world today thanks to the explanations of science. I don't wish to dispell the opal coming from other countries, I only feel the need to point out that the means of stabilizing or preserving this opal from other areas has yet to be better figured out. Some opal needs to remain in a liquid environment to be admired and appreciated. The opal that tends to crack or craze, did it grow old gracefully or was it a factor that was sold from greed or an unpure heart with malicsious intent. You see, Opal will tell you what it wants and those wants are not like our wants. Those Opal wants are from a purer source that is a mystery to many people.
When we look at the large retail gem industry and how those gems are obtained in countries where people are forced to work in an unsafe environment. This includes people that fear for their lives and are restricted because you will be beaten or shot if you refuse to work for pennies a day... I don't believe that I need to say more on that topic.
In the Australian mines, the Aussie's don't use slave labor, These miners are hardworking individuals and family's that pull together to work with what resources they have available. Grueling conditions of the outback and hauling equipment to and from the mines, My hat is off to these folks and these facts need to be digested to fully appreciate the Opal. I would rather support a miner in this fashion who is trying to make a living and feeding his family than to support a retail gem industry that is overpriced and out for one thing. Money!
It is my hope that this information is taken to heart and beliefs may be melted away that have come from the secular world that is greedy and cares nothing more than obtaining your money. Look at that statement when retail comes to promoting Christmas for just one example. Live not the sheltered life of pre-concieved notions that society's have been known to impose on people. Live today for the truth and go support the miner who risked his hiney by going down that hole to bring you something beautiful, because he or she is a servant of the almighty whether they know him or not.