Pink opal

ETYMOLOGY: OPAL = from de hindu "upala" = stone changes the color. 

CRYSTAL SYSTEM: Amorphous.

PRINCIPLE OF FORMATION: Secondary.

CLASS MINERAL:  Silicates.

CHEMICAL FORMULA, MINERAL ELEMENTS: SSiO2 · nH2O + Mn.

HARDNESS: 5.5 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

FIELDS: Australia, Mexico, Peru, South America, Honduras, Britain, Slovakia, Canada, USA.

MINERALOGY: In the group Opal distinguish between nobles opalescent opals, opals red yellow fire and common opals. The properties vary considerably. The opal is secondarily formed as a result of solidification of silicic acid gel by dehydration. Since silicic acid gel forms droplets silicon dioxides microspheres are formed. (20% water and gas). The opal color play is due to the phenomenon of light refraction in the microspheres of cristobalite. The pink opal gets its color by manganese.

MYTHOLOGY: In greek mythology it was said to come from the tears of the fate of Zeus after the victory over the Titans. In India is the goddess of the rainbow solidified in stone when he fled from the gods angry. Opal cristobalite has small areas included in a mass of hydrated silica gel, when these small areas are of equal size and an ordered three-dimensional distribution of the optical effect opalescence occurs, however when the small spheres are of different sizes and they are arranged irregularly opalescent effects not present.

PROPERTIES: It is said that pink opal favors hospitality and commitment to an ideal society, it brings fairness and encourages carelessness and affection toward one another pink opal helps show how one is and frees us from shyness, stimulates the dreamlike meditation where from memories and wishful thinking new ideas and concepts are hatched, pink minerals harmonize the heart, are the stones of love, pink opal is useful to enjoy sexuality.

CHAKRAS: Heart.

ZODIAC SIGN: Libra.

USES: Meditation, collection, jewelery.