Article Highlights
Purple Opal is a variety of common Opal valued for its stunning purple hues. Also known as Morado Opal, Violet Flame Opal or Opal Royale, this stone carries significant value in history and the modern economy. Below is a purple opal guide for jewel lovers.
Purple Opal History
Purple Opal was once a highly valued gemstone as depicted in different literary texts. Generally, the name “opal” is translated from Sanskrit to mean “precious stone”. In addition, the color purple has, over time, been associated with royalty.
Morado (purple in Spanish) Opal was recently discovered in Mexico in 2011. Before its discovery, history only favored opals in general. For example, during medieval times, Opal was highly favored as a symbol of hope and purity.
However, since opals come in different colors, it is almost impossible to place the role of purple opals in history. However, since purple was a color adorned by high priests and royals, some jewel experts believe purple opals were mainly made into jewels and worn solely by royals and priests.
At one time, opals were rarer and more expensive than alternative gemstones such as rubies and diamonds. However, Opal’s reputation may have been altered owing to different scenarios in the course of history.
Purple Opal Geological Properties
Purple Opal is a variety of common Opal, except it has a distinctive purple color, unlike common opals. The purple color within the stone is a result of small Fluorite and Silica inclusions. Purple Opal crystallizes in the form of nodules and masses without the typical “fire” one notices when looking at Opal.
In addition, it is a vulnerable gem when utilized in jewelry. Purple Opal has a 4.5 to 5.5 hardness on Mohs Scale.
It has an amorphous crystal system with a vitreous as well as pearly luster. Its color is majorly purple with white streaks.
Its chemical composition is SiO2 nH2O, and it has a conchoidal fracture. Its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque.
| 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 & Benefits
Purple Opal is used severally according to the different beliefs surrounding its healing properties. Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, purple Opal plays a significant role in your wellbeing.
Physical Properties
Metaphysical healers use Morado opal to treat and manage respiratory ailments and lung damages. Purple Opal is also used to treat health conditions such as allergies and asthma. If you are suffering from any eye condition, the purple Opal is undoubtedly something to consider in healing the condition.
Emotional Properties
Are you feeling emotionally distressed? Purple Opal comes with a sensual, confident, and relaxed vibration to help you manage different emotional situations. The stone helps you deal with any bad and unwanted emotions in your relationship.
In addition, the stone helps you to express your needs and wants clearly. Moreover, it keeps you open to hearing and comprehending what people around you are trying to communicate or need from you. Such is an important aspect, especially in a romantic relationship where communication and understanding are dwindling.
If either you or your partner has been hurt before and is scared to express your feelings genuinely, purple Opal helps to smooth things over. The stone helps you to be brave and confident enough to love again. It makes you see the essence of feeling worthy of love again
Spiritual Properties
Morado Opal stimulates your natural birthright for freedom and joy. In addition, the stone encourages you to detach from your inhibitions and to exist more colorfully and vibrantly. Purple Opal minimizes the power of your ego, which values excessively others’ opinions towards you. Conversely, it invites you to consider everything that makes you wholesome and happier.
The stone constantly lets you know that the world’s vibrations will always rise accordingly, provided you are in perfect alignment with your natural joy. It is a viable meditation stone, especially if your practice includes mantras or other holy sounds to guide your energy flow.
Moreover, purple Opal helps you to stay focused and avoid dwelling on the past. The stone particularly encourages you to be creative, hopeful, and more spontaneous. Purple Opal can remind you of the beauty and usefulness of art. It is particularly ideal for poets, writers, musicians, or anyone struggling with their creative genius.
Purple Opal & Chakra
Purple Opal connects easily and well with the Third Eye Chakra. As such, it is ideal if you are seeking higher knowledge and want to tap into it. It is also attuned to the Throat Chakra.
You can place the purple Opal directly on your Third Eye together with a Quartz on your Crown Chakra for a more intensive meditation journey. While Quartz is stimulating enhancement frequencies, the minerals start to stimulate the respective Chakras. Combining minerals during meditation helps to propel forward one’s inner vision. It begins to channel abilities like astral travel, lucid dreaming, and easy access to Akashic records.
In addition, Morado Opal is linked to the Water and Earth elements and typically vibrates to the numbers 8, 3, and 9.
How to Use It
Though not entirely easy, purple Opal is often used to make stunning jewelry. It is cut into different sizes and shapes and made into beautiful pendants, rings, and different other jewelry.
You can also use purple Opal as part of your meditation. The stone helps you connect your mind and body to comfortably cleanse all the negative energy through meditation. During meditation, you can use it independently or combine it with another higher vibration stone.
Zodiac Connection
The stone is linked to the astrological signs of Pisces, Scorpio, Taurus, Libra, and Cancer. However, its benefits and properties can be tapped endlessly by individuals sharing other astrological signs not listed above.
Bottom Line
The majority of common opals are majorly mined in Australia. Other deposits include Mexico, Peru, the US (Idaho and Nevada), Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, and Ethiopia.
Purple Opal was recently discovered in Mexico. Its recent discovery still means the jewel is easily available in the market. However, even though its value does not rival some of the top purple gemstones, purple Opal is still valued and highly sought-after due to its beautiful color and benefits.
