Ethiopian Opal Oval Pendant
Ethiopian Opal Oval Pendant
Mineral: Opal
Origin: South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Color: Yellowish Orange with Red, Green, Blue and Yellow Play of Color (Pinfire)
Treatment: None
Material: Sterling Silver (925)
Approximate Dimensions: 2.2cm x 0.9cm x 0.6cm
Weight: 1g
Note: Chain NOT Included
10% of this purchase will be donated to The International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF)
In the Middle Ages, opal was considered a stone that could provide great luck because it was believed to possess all the virtues of each gemstone whose color was represented in the color spectrum of the opal. It was also said to grant invisibility if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and held in the hand.
Following the publication of Sir Walter Scott's Anne of Geierstein in 1829, opal acquired a less auspicious reputation. In Scott's novel, the Baroness of Arnheim wears an opal talisman with supernatural powers. When a drop of holy water falls on the talisman, the opal turns into a colorless stone and the Baroness dies soon thereafter.
Due to the popularity of Scott's novel, people began to associate opals with bad luck and death. Within a year of the publishing of Scott's novel in April 1829, the sale of opals in Europe dropped by 50%, and remained low for the next 20 years or so.
Color may vary in images and videos due to different lightings and angles.