Pink Opal: Properties, Benefits & Meanings
Pink Opal Overview
Pink Opal is a lightweight, lustrous gemstone found in the famed mines of Peru. Its beautiful coloration and soft undertones make it a highly desirable addition to your collection. In ancient times, pink opals were known as stones of love, single-mindedness, and concentration.
Pink Opals are connected to the heart chakra and can help you find your life purpose while assisting you in staying focused and balanced. This article will look into the properties, meanings, and uses of Pink Opal gemstones.
What Is Pink Opal?
Pink Opal is an appealing opal stone that has a light pink color. This beautiful color is not standard in the gemstone world, making Pink Opal very well-liked in the collector’s community. Not only is it visually stunning, but it has a few interesting properties as well. For example, it is said to increase love, help you concentrate, and find purpose in life.
Pink Opal is a member of the common opal family, which includes black opals and fire opals. Pink Opal is usually transparent to translucent and ranges in color from a very light pinkish-white to a salmon or deep pink.
Pink Opals are hydrated analogs of Quartz gemstones like Chalcedony and Agate. While quartz is composed of silica, opals are composed of hydrated silica, meaning water makes up about 10% of their crystal structure.
Due to the significant presence of water, this gemstone isn’t very tough, it’s only a 5.5 – 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it is crucial to handle it carefully so as not to cause damage or breakage, which could result in a decrease in value.
Etymology
According to historical records, Pliny the Elder is thought to have called opal stones “paederos.” The modern term “Opal” could have come from two different sources. The Sanskrit “upala,” meaning precious stone, or even just stone, or from the Latin word “Opalus.”
The exact origins of the name are up for debate, and modern historians even argue the authenticity of whether Pliny the Elder was referring to Opals or not.
Pink Opal Appearance
Pink Opals, as the name suggests, are pink in color. They have a vitreous luster, meaning they look like polished glass once correctly processed.
Experts theorize the pink color in opals is caused due to the presence of impurities in the crystal structure. This impurity could be of two types: inorganic manganese Ions, giving it a pink color due to their transition state, or organic palygorskite impurities that bend light in a specific way, giving it a pinkish hue.
Some rare forms of pink opals, also called Cat’s eye opals, will chow chatoyancy. Chatoyant Opals are rare, but finding a pink-colored chatoyant opal is even more challenging. Their chatoyancy shows in the form of a thin red-colored line in the middle, making it look like a cat’s eyes.
Formation
Opals are formed when water seeps into cracks in the earth and evaporates, leaving behind a silica gel. The gel then becomes coated with other minerals.
Where Can You Find Pink Opal?
The most famous and well-respected source of Pink opal formations is the Acari mine in the Caraveli Province of Peru. Peru is known for its striking opals. Blue-colored Andean opals also come from this region.
Pink Opals found in the Peru region are known as Andenopals. You can also find this gemstone in Australia, which is also famed for its precious Opal mines. Unfortunately, there are no other confirmed sources for this gem.
Pink Opal Physical Properties
| Mineral Group | Opal |
| Formula | SiO2 ยท nH2O |
| Chemical name | Hydrated Silica |
| Color | Pink |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Refractive Index | 1.42 – 1.43 |
| Fracture | Conchoidal, Uneven |
| Luster | Subvitreous, Waxy |
| Specific Gravity | 1.9 – 2.3 |
How To Tell If Pink Opal Is Real?
Pink Opal garnet is a common gemstone, so it’s unlikely that an unscrupulous jeweler would sell a less expensive gem under its name. However, some scammers may use colored plastic or glass to make fake gemstones that resemble Pink Opals.
You can identify a counterfeit gemstone using these guidelines:
- Color Depth: Genuine gemstones are not one solid color throughout; they have varying hues across their body. A dull, uniform-looking Pink Opal gemstone is probably not genuine. This type of coloration is an indication of dying.
- Scratch Test: Pink Opal is a hard mineral with a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5 to 7. The mineral’s hardness makes it difficult to scratch. When you try to cut a gemstone with a knife, for example, you should not scratch the surface of that stone. If you can leave marks on it, it is likely colored glass.
- Acetone Test: Place the gemstone in an acetone bath. If you notice a stain in the acetone solution after a few minutes of soaking, then the Pink Opal is not authentic. Natural gemstones shouldn’t release color in acetone.
- Transparency: If you see an opaque gem that is not transparent, it may have been artificially colored. Genuine Pink Opal crystals are translucent or transparent.
If you are still unable to determine the authenticity of your Pink Opal, ask a professional jeweler or gemologist to examine it. They will be able to tell you if it is genuine or not.
Pink Opal Value
Different specimens of this stone vary in price depending on a few factors. The value of a pink opal depends on its size in carats, the difficulty of its cut, the clarity of the stone, and the properties of its coloration.
The rarity of this stone also plays a vital role in determining its value. Pink Opal is one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. It is also one of the rarest types of Opal. You can only find this gemstone in Australia and Peru, which makes it very valuable.
Carat
Weight is vital in determining the price of pink opal. The larger the stone, the more valuable it will be. The price per carat increases significantly for larger specimens because of the increased rarity. The size of a stone can range from one carat up to 10 carats or more. The most valuable pink opals are usually larger than 5 carats.
However, this does not mean that all large stones are expensive. For example, if a sizeable pink opal has numerous flaws or poor coloration, its value will decrease even though it weighs more than a smaller flawless and well-colored stone. Some scarce and expensive specimens are smaller than 5 carats in size.
Cut
A perfect gemstone has to have the right color, brightness, and clarity. The aim of cutting is to make sure it displays these properties in the best possible way. The most common cut for pink opals is the cabochon, which means that the top and bottom surfaces are polished until they form domes.
The cut of the stone helps determine its value, but it also affects how light reflects off of it and enhances its beauty. Some stones are cut with facets in order to maximize their brilliance, while others are left uncut with smooth domes.
Clarity
Clarity is the measure of how many inclusions or flaws a stone contains. The fewer flaws, the higher the clarity grade. The most common inclusions are gas bubbles, fractures, and feathers. The more flaws in a stone, the lower its clarity grade.
Most opals have imperfections that can be seen under magnification, so they are typically given an eye-clean grade. This means that you won’t see any cracks or surface defects when looking at them up close.
Clarity Grading
The most valuable stones are those that are entirely flawless, but they are also the rarest. The most common clarity grades include eye clean, very slightly included (VS1), slightly included (SI2), moderately included (MI2) and heavily included (HI1).
Color
The more vibrant the color, the more valuable Opal is. Since opals are made up of layers of minerals that have been dissolved and hardened again, they can display a wide range of colors. Pink opals, specifically, are only in different shades of pink.
The color of a non-transparent gemstone is the most significant factor in determining its price. The color of a stone comprises three components:
- Continuity: It is better for the beauty of the stone if the color remains continuous throughout. Imperfections can disrupt the color, creating blemishes that take away from the beauty of the stone.
- Vibrance: The deeper the color, the more vibrant it is. If a stone has a light or faded color, it will not be as valuable as one with deep and vibrant colors. Furthermore, a gem with a wide range of colors is more valuable than one that has only one shade of color.
- Pattern: If a stone has a design, it will be more valuable than one that does not. The pattern can be a series of lines or dots, or it could be something like an asterisk shape. Patterns make stones more exciting and beautiful to look at.
Pink Opal Gemstone Chakra Connection
Pink Opal is a stone of the heart chakra. It helps to balance your emotions, especially those that are associated with the heart. This allows you to be more patient and forgiving of yourself and the others around you. Pink Opal can also help to heal emotional wounds from past relationships.
The heart chakra is associated with pink and is also known as Anahata in Sanskrit. It’s located in the middle of your chest, just below your throat.
Pink Opal Meaning And Uses
Stone Of Love
Pink Opal gemstone is seen as a stone that promotes romance and loving feelings between two people. If you’re looking for love or have recently found a partner, It can help speed up the process by bringing you closer together and helping your relationship grow stronger.
Stone Of Hope
This Opal is known as the “stone of hope” because it gives off that feeling when worn by someone who needs to believe in themselves again. This makes Opal very helpful for those with depression or other emotional problems that are related to hopelessness.
Stone Of Emotional Healing
Opal is also a powerful stone for emotional healing, especially when it comes to releasing negative emotions and letting go of pain from past experiences. The intense vibrations of Opal are said to help you release negative feelings so that you can move on with your life and start feeling better about yourself again.
Stone Of Forgiveness
It is also good at helping people let go of the past. It can help us forgive ourselves and others for any mistakes, and it allows us to move forward in our lives without being weighed down by guilt or regret.
When we are able to let go of these negative emotions, we can become more positive, more productive, and happier. This can help us reach for our dreams and do what we love.
Stone Of New Beginnings
Pink Opal gemstone is a stone of renewal and rebirth. It is also a stone of love and passion. It helps you to embrace the positive aspects of life while getting rid of the negative ones. It’s known as a potent stone for healing, forgiveness, and protection from harmful outside influences.
How To Clean Pink Opal Jewelry?
Taking care of your Pink Opal gemstone jewelry is essential to help it retain its beauty.
- Soak the jewelry in a solution of lukewarm water and gentle soap for a few minutes.
- Take the jewelry out of the solution and gently rinse it. You can use a soft toothbrush to scrub the jewelry when you can’t get a stain out.
- You can gently buff the crystal with a microfiber cloth once it has been thoroughly dried/polished. Try not to use a cotton cloth as it can leave lint.
- Your stone absorbs negative energy over time. To remove it, you should use a smudge stick. This will cleanse the stone and prime it for future use.
- Expose your gem to moonlight or bury it underground to recharge its energy. Give it a few hours, but doing it overnight is best. Once the power is restored, the stone will be as good as new.
In general, it is better to avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaners as they can damage the gemstone embedded in the jewelry.
FAQ
Which Gemstones Go Best With Pink Opal?
Pink Opal is an unusual gemstone that has its own distinctive color, so it goes best with other unique stones. If you want to match the color of your Pink Opal, try pairing it with other pink gemstones, such as Rose Quartz or Morganite. For contrast, try pairing it with a white stone like White Topaz or even Diamonds. You could also experiment with different colored gems to see what looks best on you.
What Is Pink Opal Good For?
Pink Opal is a popular gemstone that has many uses. It is helpful as a stone of forgiveness, love, hope, and new beginnings.
Furthermore, it is a gorgeous gemstone that will add an extra flair of color to any outfit. You can wear it as a pendant or pair it with other pink jewelry pieces. It also makes an excellent gift for someone who loves unusual things.
Is Pink Opal Heat Treated?
No. Pink Opal is not heat treated, and it is considered a natural stone. Most experts think that heat-treated pink Opal is worth less compared to the natural variety.
