quantity
have yet been discovered. Some good stones have been cut from an
occurrence in Idaho, and some other minor finds have been made, but
they possess little commercial importance at present.
Opal
does not seem to have been extensively known or used by the ancients,
although the Romans prized it highly, and ascribed to it the power of
warning against disaster. They named it the Paideros, or Cupid, and
regarded it the perfection of beauty. Pliny describes it as combining
the fire of the ruby, the purple of the amethyst, and the sea-green of
the emerald, all shining together in an indescribable union. The Roman
senator Nonius owned one set in a ring, which was said to be valued at
nearly a million dollars. History records that for refusing to sell the
stone to Mark Antony he was sent into exile. This stone was, however,
no larger than a hazelnut, and would probably be worth hardly a hundred
dollars at the present day. The next most famous opal in history is one
that was owned by the Empress Josephine, and called "The Burning of
Troy," on account of the brilliancy of the flames which shot forth from
its depths. The present whereabouts of neither of these gems is known.
A large Mexican opal, now in the Field Columbian Museum, is carved in
the image of the Mexican sun-god, and has a setting of gold
representing the diverging rays of the sun. This gem is very ancient,
and is believed to have been kept in a Persian temple. To the opal was
assigned, in the sixteenth century, the power of making its wearer a
general favorite, enhancing the keenness of his sight, and shielding
him from suicide. The name opal is from the Greek word for eye, and
shows the esteem in which the gem was held for treating diseases of
that organ. It was also supposed to have the virtues of all the stones
whose colors it showed. It was believed to stimulate the heart, cheer
the despondent, and preserve from contagion. Like the tur-quois, its
color was supposed to change if its wearer grew ill, and regain it when
he recovered. It symbolized hope also. The belief in its bringing
ill-luck is of more modern origin, and confined to Occidental peoples.
Possession of a black opal is regarded in India, at the present time, as productive of good fortune.
