The Opal 121
at
their marriage, opals, and this and other acts which signified her
admiration for the stone and her disdain for the superstition through
which its reputation had fallen into evil days soon raised opals high
in the realm of precious stones; the result being that Australian
exports of opal were handsomely increased by the demand for, and
shipment of, the stone thus royally reinstated to its ancient high
estate of popular favour.
It is but a just
appreciation of the average high intelligence of the gem-purchasing
American public, to state that opals have always been appreciated in
the United States for their merits, and that here the dread tabu of "
unlucky " has had the least effect. And it may be said that it is on
their merits they are judged, for the demand has latterly distinctly
decreased for the inferior grades of opals that formerly sold readily,
while choice gems are sought for, and American purchasers prove
themselves well posted and very discriminating.
