Opal History & Lore
Bad Luck?
So, how did opal get its reputation for bringing bad luck? There are many theories, but most historians point to the 1829 Sir Walter Scott novel, Anne of Geierstein. According to an article at Opals Down Under, "Having not read the third volume, the public jumped to the conclusion that the heroine has been bewitched, that her magic opal discolours when touched by holy water, and that she dies as a result. On carefully examining the texts, Si Frazier, writing in Lapidary Journal, found all three accusations false. The opal, which actually belonged to Anne's exotic grandmother, turns out to have turned pale as a warning to its owner against poisoning (which was the actual cause of her grandmother's death). Even so, this single work plunged opal prices to half in just one year and crippled the European opal market for decades."
So, how did opal get its reputation for bringing bad luck? There are many theories, but most historians point to the 1829 Sir Walter Scott novel, Anne of Geierstein. According to an article at Opals Down Under, "Having not read the third volume, the public jumped to the conclusion that the heroine has been bewitched, that her magic opal discolours when touched by holy water, and that she dies as a result. On carefully examining the texts, Si Frazier, writing in Lapidary Journal, found all three accusations false. The opal, which actually belonged to Anne's exotic grandmother, turns out to have turned pale as a warning to its owner against poisoning (which was the actual cause of her grandmother's death). Even so, this single work plunged opal prices to half in just one year and crippled the European opal market for decades."
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