Article Highlights
Blue opal is one of the most attractive varieties of common opal. Almost resembling the Caribbean blue sea, blue opal is primarily found in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. This stunning light blue-colored stone ranges from translucent to opaque in hue. Healers consider this stone to carry immense healing benefits to the body, mind, and spirit. Below is an in-depth guide for the blue opal.
Blue Opal History
According to Greek mythology, opals are considered the tears that Zeus shed after winning the battle against the Titans. Blue opals are ancient stones that have been translated into different meanings across different communities.
Louis Leakey, a world-renowned anthropologist, once made a remarkable discovery of valuable man-made opal artifacts more than 6,000 years old. Historically, people crafted jewelry using opal way before the Egyptian pyramids were constructed.
Opal Meaning
Opal originates from the Roman word “Opalus” and Greek word “Opallios”. These may both originate from the Sanskrit word Upala meaning “precious stone”.
Generally, opals are found in different countries, including Brazil, Australia, Ethiopia, and Honduras. However, blue opal is specifically located in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Blue opal has also been discovered in Oregon in the US.
Blue Opal Geological Properties
Like all other opal types, blue opal isn’t a mineral. However, it is an amorphous mineraloid, meaning it comprises a unique arrangement of smaller microcrystalline silicas. This results in the blue spectrum of light reflection.
The stone features a translucent blue hue without any play of color. Its blue color may be a result of light scattering effects. It could also be a microscopic admixture of chrysocolla or alternative minerals. Blue opals formula is SiO2 · nH2O.
The translucent to opaque blue color is often accompanied by a vitreous shine. Its clarity depends on the number of inclusions and the upper surface’s smoothness. In addition, it has a conchoidal fracturing pattern as well as a 5.5-6 hardness on the Mohs Scale, making it prone to easy breakage.
Such fragility is increased since blue opal has high water content and, unless you expose them to high temperature, it easily becomes dehydrated. However, the heat often causes fractures and loss of color intensity for the blue opal.
| Category | Mineraloid |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Hydrated silica. SiO2·nH2O |
| Crystal system | Amorphous |
| Crystal habit | Irregular veins, in masses, in nodules |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 – 6 |
| Luster | Subvitreous to waxy |
| Diaphaneity | opaque, translucent, transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.15+0.08 |
| −0.90 | |
| Density | 2.09 g/cm3 |
| Polish luster | Vitreous to resinous |
| Optical properties | Single refractive, often anomalous double refractive due to strain |
| Refractive index | 1.450+0.020 |
| −0.080 | |
| Diagnostic features | darkening upon heating |
| Solubility | hot saltwater, bases, methanol, humic acid, hydrofluoric acid |
Healing Properties and Benefits
Blue opal has received international recognition among gemstone lovers as being one of the best pro-healing gemstones.
Like all other opal family members, blue opal carries physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Below is how individuals can benefit from the blue opal.
Physical Healing
Blue opal boosts immunity and metabolism. It is regarded as a universal aid for supporting good health. You can harness the stone’s healing powers if you suffer from fatigue, lymph node or hair loss-related issues, and vision problems.
It contributes to cataract improvement and the relief of eye problems. As such, it is ideal for older people with eye complications. In addition, blue opal treats stings and bite wounds of poisonous animals. This makes it ideal for carrying on your hiking and camping trip.
Emotional Healing
Blue opal has been used for centuries for protection as well as emotional healing. It eliminates the negative thoughts that cause anxiety, fear, depression, and anger. Blue opal’s calming properties help you gain a more positive outlook towards existence and always remain happy.
Wearing a blue opal is recommended for people who find it hard to communicate their thoughts clearly as a result of medical conditions or shyness, anxiety, or lack of confidence. Its soothing vibrations can balance with your throat chakra, which is linked to your creativity and self-expression.
In addition, blue opal attracts harmony in a relationship. It is considered a remarkable stone that brings good vibes and positive effects on your love life. Wearing blue opal helps you achieve emotional fulfillment as a couple, especially in distressful times. It is no wonder why it is regarded as a love stone in South America.
Blue opals help in intensive inner reflection, lifting moods, and liberating emotions. You can use blue opal if you are not feeling sure about any pending emotional decisions.
Spiritual Healing
Blue opal has the ability to enhance psychic abilities that help to align the different chakras. The stone promotes superior sensory and meditation experiences. To do this, it opens your mind and expands your perception. As such, strength and resilience are stimulated to help you in difficult times.
In addition, blue opal is mythologically linked to distances, oceans, and the unending longings for spiritual homes. It is a healing stone known to promote good fortune. Blue opal is also considered the ideal stone that conducts energy to attract financial benefits. Blue opal protects you from making the wrong decision that affects you financially.
Finally, it is the perfect route to a harmonious, peaceful, and beneficial spiritual life.
Blue Opal and Chakra
The blue color is linked to the Throat Chakra, which is associated with your ability to speak and communicate your inner truth. An imbalance in the Throat Chakra is evident from one having a hard time communicating effectively.
Blue opal has a resonating frequency with the throat chakra. Therefore, wearing a piece of blue opal jewelry can help to send healing to your throat chakra. In addition, using blue opal helps to have an easier time expressing your thoughts effortlessly and truthfully. Therefore, if you feel overwhelmed by your lack of fluency in communication, you might want to activate your throat chakra using the blue opal or alternative means.
Zodiac Connection
According to western astrology, blue opal brings immense luck to people born in October. The stone is connected to the Zodiac signs Aries and Virgo. However, anyone born or in the other Zodiac signs can also benefit from the healing properties of this gemstone.
Bottom Line
Are you an October-born person in search of a sincere and truthful birthstone? The blue opal, a variety of common opal, is believed by western astrology to be an October birthstone. Although the gemstone doesn’t display a play of colors like the precious opal, it still maintains a translucent-opaque light blue color that resembles the Caribbean sea. Unfortunately, it is not as expensive as precious opal, though it holds good market value.
