All About Opals and Why We Love Them

Opals are unlike any other gemstone. With their kaleidoscopic colours, iridescent depths and a quiet sense of magic, it’s no wonder this October birthstone has enchanted collectors and jewellers for centuries.

At Walter Bull & Son, opals are among our most loved and most searched for stones. Whether set into antique rings or paired with modern designs, there’s something undeniably captivating about them. Every opal feels one-of-a-kind, and every piece of opal jewellery carries a kind of quiet wonder.

The Story of the Opal

Opals are one of the only gemstones that contain water, sometimes up to 21 percent of their structure. This gives them a delicate, responsive nature. They can expand or contract with humidity and temperature, which makes them softer than many other stones and deserving of a little extra care.

Australia is home to around ninety-five percent of the world’s natural opals. The stone was rediscovered there in the late nineteenth century, sparking a renewed love of opal jewellery after centuries of quiet popularity in ancient cultures. Since then, it has remained a favourite for those drawn to stones with depth, movement and mystery.

Myths and Meanings

The opal has always inspired stories. In ancient Greece, it was believed to be formed from the tears of the gods. In India, legend tells of a goddess of rainbows who turned to stone to protect herself, giving rise to the opal’s shifting colour.

Throughout history, opals have been thought to offer protection against negativity and to help stabilise emotions. Some believed they could improve eyesight. Others saw them as talismans of truth and purity.

Today, opals are often associated with creativity, happiness and a quiet kind of confidence. They are also thought to symbolise loyalty and spontaneity, qualities as vibrant and shifting as the stone itself.

Why We Love Opals

There is no other stone quite like it. The way an opal flashes and flickers in the light can feel almost hypnotic. One moment it glows blue and green, the next it reveals pink, orange or gold. No two are ever the same.

There is a subtle magic to wearing opal. It doesn’t shout for attention but draws the eye with quiet intrigue. For many, it feels deeply personal, a reflection of individuality and imagination.

Opal jewellery remains relatively rare, especially in traditional settings, which makes every opal ring, necklace or pair of earrings feel a little more special. When you wear opal, it never feels ordinary.

Understanding Different Types of Opals

Natural opals are untouched apart from cutting and polishing. They have not been treated or altered and they display an organic, shifting pattern of colour that no other gemstone can match.

Synthetic opals are created in a lab and are made of the same material, though they tend to be lighter and more porous. Their colour pattern is more regular, almost like suspended glitter, in contrast to the soft natural shimmer found in real stones.

Simulated opals, on the other hand, are made from alternative materials, often glass, to mimic the look of natural opal. While not true opals, they offer a more affordable and durable option for those drawn to the stone’s aesthetic.

We believe everyone should have a touch of opal magic in their jewellery box, whether it’s a gift, a talisman, or simply something that catches your eye.

Explore our opal jewellery collection to find the piece that speaks to you.