SiO₂·nH₂O
Opal
October’s stone diffracts light in stacked silica spheres, and drying can craze it.
- Formula
- SiO₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5–6.5
- Crystal system
- amorphous
- Colour
- many-coloured
- Element
- water
- Chakra (tradition)
- sacral
- Zodiac
- Libra, Cancer, Pisces
- Month
- October
- Where the earth keeps it
- Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico
What it actually is
Opal is SiO₂·nH₂O before it is a story. The lattice is amorphous, Mohs 5.5–6.5, and the eye meets many-coloured.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico. October’s stone diffracts light in stacked silica spheres, and drying can craze it.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Opal to water and to the sacral centre. The old site stood it near: Libra, Cancer, Pisces. Old tables sit it beside October.
How not to turn it to ash
Pores drink oil, soap and sweat. Turquoise, opal and howlite dislike hot water and ultrasonic cleaners. Opal also dislikes drying out.