Are Opals Bad Luck For Engagment Rings?

With the declining statistics around marriage, it is safe to say we don’t need any negative juju floating around. So, even though we’re rational human beings on the face of it, we can’t help but take heed of the superstitions.

Mirrors are handled delicately, ladders are avoided like the plague, and umbrellas are never to be put up indoors. But are opals bad luck for an engagement ring?

It’s a question that has been asked for centuries. After all, the October birthstone has long been associated with superstition and folklore, so it’s no surprise that many people are hesitant to pick one for their engagement ring, or at least do some research before deciding.

Opals for Engagement Rings?

More and more brides-to-be are opting to personalize their wedding and engagement rings whether through engravings, adding color, or choosing different gems.

The unique play of color often referred to as the “play of fire,” makes opals particularly attractive and desirable – it’s no wonder they’re becoming increasingly popular.

If you’re considering an opal engagement ring, there’s a lot to learn about (which is actually pretty cool). These beautiful semi-precious stones come steeped in stories.

Is an Opal Engagement Ring Bad Luck?

For centuries, from roman history to medieval times, opals have been believed to bring bad luck and misfortune. Yet, in modern times many are choosing to forego the myths. Only you can really decide if it’s bad luck or not.

But to quash some fears before we start – the superstition that states you will have bad luck if you wear an opal, and you are not an October baby, is allegedly based on stories by European writers, not on any ancient beliefs or personal experiences.

Also, there is no scientific evidence nor concrete facts to show negative repurcussions.

The Origins of the Superstition

It’s believed that the rumors about opals being bad luck for an engagement ring originated in ancient Rome and eleventh-century Victorian England. During this era, the unique characteristics of opal—namely its color-changing properties—were seen as a sign of inconstancy, or someone who may not remain loyal.

This belief was pushed further by 19th-century novels such as “Anne of Geierstein” by Sir Walter Scott and “The Duchess of Malfi” by John Webster, both of which featured characters who became cursed after coming into contact with an opal gemstone.

They wrote fantastical stories about witches and sorcerers strengthening their magical powers with black opals, and Medieval Europeans believed that black opals resembled the evil eye.

In his book, Sir Walter Scott described a woman wearing an opal who own magical powers that brought her both good fortune and bad luck. The story goes that the Baroness dies as the result of a drop of holy water being dropped on the opal stone, draining it of all its color.

In Scott’s case, he was fortunate that his book had a huge impact; unfortunately, the opal stone was associated with bad luck and the black death during that time, and little by little sales of the gemstone began to decline and opal prices remained low for the following almost two decades.

Another Myth – Alfonzo XII and a passionate love affair

Alfonzo XII, a Spanish king, had a passionate love affair with the Comtesse de Castiglione, a stunning aristocrat, in the late 19th century. The Comtesse returned the King’s affection, but months before the couple was set to get married, the faithless Alfonzo wed Princess Mercedes.

The Contesse offered the couple a wedding present in the form of a stunning opal set in a huge ring of the purest gold. The gift quickly captured the princess’s heart, and she insisted that her husband put it on her finger. He complied, and the princess died inexplicably two months later.

Alfonzo gave his grandmother, Queen Christina, his wife’s opal after the funeral; she passed away shortly after receiving it. Alfonzo’s sister, Infanta Maria del Pilar, then received the ring. Maria succumbed to the same strange sickness that claimed the lives of the other two ladies before her as well.

Once more, the ring was up for grabs, and when Alfonzo’s sister-in-law expressed interest, he gave it to her with the expected outcome. But by that point, the King was so miserable by the deaths of his family members that he decided to end it all by putting the ring on his finger to put an end to his suffering.

Is it just Marketing?

We all know that the diamond industry is considered one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, remember?

It’s widely considered that in the late 1800s and early 1900s diamond traders contributed to the fuelling of the bad luck myth, for profit, of course.

A large amount of opal was being exported to the United States, Europe, and England at the turn of the 20th century, causing the then-emerging diamond specialists to panic when it became apparent that opal might become a more popular choice than diamonds in the near future.

According to them, the rumor of opals being bad luck provided it with a competitive advantage in the market and ensured diamonds retained a better share of the market.

Despite their success, some people continue to believe that opal is a bad luck stone, something they have unwittingly inherited from their grandparents and great-grandparents who sold themselves into the diamond trader’s old wives’ tales.

Why Opal Makes a Great Engagement Ring

Times have changed since Sir Walter Scott first wrote about 19th-century opals in his novel. Nowadays, some unconventional brides love choosing them for their engagement rings because of their unique beauty.

Opals have different forms to choose from like crystal opals, white opals, or boulder opals. They come in an entire rainbow of colors—from bright blue opals and greens to soft pinks, purples, and orange fire opals—so you can choose one that perfectly reflects your personality as a couple.

Opals have captivated people for centuries with their luminous beauty and truly one-of-a-kind features. Not only are opals incredibly beautiful, but they are also said to bring luck and fortune to the wearer. An opal engagement ring could be a stunning reminder of how lucky you are to have found the love of your life.

With its iridescent surface and lightning ridge, an opal ring is sure to make any proposal extra special. As said earlier, common opals come in many beautiful colors, so if you’re looking for something unique and meaningful, consider an opal engagement ring – it will surely make for an unforgettable proposal!

The beautiful opal gemstone can be a perfect day wear as a truly spectacular piece of jewelry. Their uniqueness in color means that it can be a stand-out piece that adds an eye-catching hint of sparkle to any outfit making the opal ring a perfect choice.

Not only are these solid opals beautiful, but they’re also surprisingly affordable. They’re much less expensive than diamonds or other stones, making them a great choice for anyone looking to purchase an exquisite piece of fine jewelry without breaking the bank.

Modern Beliefs about Opal Engagement Rings

Today, however, most people see opal engagement rings in a much more positive light than they did in ancient times. Many cultures around the world consider opal to be a symbol of hope, innocence, good luck charm, and purity—all qualities that you would want your married life to embody.

And lets face it, the myths above are based on a spooky book, a fable of a woman scorned and the greed of the diamond industry.

When used in jewelry, the intricate patterns of precious opals with microscopic spheres of silica, provide an eye-catching display of unique beauty that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Be it an opal necklace, an opal pendant with a gold chain, or an opal ring in white gold or sterling silver.

Furthermore, because opals come in such a wide range of rainbow-like colors and sizes, they make for a truly great choice as an engagement or wedding ring—one that will stand out from the crowd and show everyone just how special your relationship is!

Caring For Your Opal Engagement Ring

They are delicate stones that require extra care and attention to keep them looking their best. With the proper care, an opal engagement ring design can be a beautiful symbol of your love and commitment for many years to come.

According to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness in the Mohs system, it can also be a reason why opals were once promoted by diamond traders

Conclusion

Opals are a unique and beautiful choice for an engagement ring in a custom design. All in all, there is no reason why an opal should not be chosen as an engagement ring! They offer a unique play of color that can’t be found in any other gemstone. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and rainbow colors, allowing you to find one that suits your partner’s individual style.

If seen the history of opals, Queen Victoria delighted in wearing Opals. At the point when a huge field of natural opals was found during the 1870s in Queensland, Australia, Queen Victoria attempted to lift the cover of odd notions surrounding the opal market.

Ultimately though – only you can decide if an opal is right for your special occasion so why not give it some thought before making your final decision? However, if you feel uncomfortable or just aren’t sure then perhaps it would be best to choose something else instead. Whatever you decide we wish you all the best on this exciting journey!