Radical Rocks

Opal How  to Guide   History and tidbits The word Opal is from the Roman word “opalus” which was derived from the Greek word “opallios” and both have the meaning “change of color”. Opal has a long history of ancient times being mentioned in the Bible were Opal in Hebrew means “ precious stone” This was one of the 12 stones to be placed on the high priest breastplate dating back to about 1300 BCE.   A writer named Sir Walter Scott started a rumor that could have damaged the Opal market back in 1829. One of his novels created a superstition that Opal was a bad luck charm. He must have been a pretty good writer because this created a decline in the Opal market. However, someone stepped in to set maters straight because she loved Opal and knew this was poppycock, and the one that dispelled these rumors was none other that queen Elizabeth herself. The Andamooka Opal Necklace   South Australian government wanted to present their new Queen “Queen Elizabe...