The Dazzling Comeback of Opals in 2024

Did you know opals are the ultimate chameleons of the gemstone world? If you’re on the hunt for a gem that adds instant flair to your style and lifts your spirits, you’re in for a treat. Opals are proving that they’re as relevant today as your favourite binge-worthy series.

In 2024, opals have skyrocketed in popularity, capturing the attention of jewellery lovers and designers alike. Even with the current economic challenges, people are still eager for opals, this is coming from from big-name fashion brands and well-known designers, as fashions do. You can see this trend in the growing number of opals featured in high-end jewellery collections, highlighting just how versatile and appealing these gems are.

People are becoming more aware of the beauty and uniqueness and the opal market is thriving. As we look toward 2025, it’s clear that the love for opals is only growing stronger. 

Opals - A Gem Like No Other

Let’s talk about what makes opals so special. These stunning gems have crazy colours that shift and shimmer with every movement. They’re formed from a mix of water and silica, creating a unique play of colour that can make even the most mundane outfit pop. Seriously, who doesn’t want to wear a little bit of the rainbow?

Although Australia has long been the leader of opal production, Ethiopian opals are stepping into the spotlight. These were discovered relatively recently and these beauties offer a dazzling play of colour and often come at more accessible prices, making them a hot choice. 

Australia: The Opal Powerhouse

Now, let's get real about where these gems come from. Australia is the undisputed champion of opals, boasting about 95% of the world's opal deposits. That's right - if you're wearing an opal, there's a good chance it hails from Oz. From the breathtaking landscapes of Coober Pedy to the rich mining history of Lightning Ridge, Australia is where most opals are born and bred. 

But it's not just about the classic white and black opals. Australia is also famous for its boulder opals, found in Queensland. These incredible gems are formed within ironstone boulders, creating a natural backing that adds depth and character to the opal. The boulder is a deep brown and the colours of the opal contrasts against it, really giving a unique style. The Quilpie region in Queensland is often referred to as the home of the 'Boulder Opal,' as this is where most of them are found.

So whether you're admiring a milky white opal from Coober Pedy, a rare black opal from Lightning Ridge, or a one-of-a-kind boulder opal from Queensland, chances are you're looking at a little piece of Australian heritage. The diverse opal offerings from Down Under continue to captivate jewellery lovers and collectors worldwide, solidifying Australia's status as the true opal powerhouse.

The Birth of Coober Pedy: How a Teenager's Discovery Sparked an Opal Mining Boom.

In the early days of opal mining, the story of Coober Pedy is a coloruful one. It all began around 1915 when a teenage boy named Willie Hutchinson, who was out gold prospecting with his father, stumbled upon a shiny gem while searching for water.

Little did he know, this discovery would ignite an opal rush that transformed the Australian outback. After staking the first claim shortly after his find, it took a bit of time for the area to really take off.

But then World War I veterans started returning from the trenches and looking for new fortunes in the opal fields. These soldiers were used to living underground, so they adapted quickly to the unique lifestyle of Coober Pedy, where many miners dug their homes right into the earth to escape the scorching heat.

Picture this: miners working by candlelight, using pickaxes and shovels to dig deep shafts, often reinforced with timber to prevent collapses. They’d haul up buckets of dirt using hand-operated windlasses, hoping to strike it rich with precious opals.

Sometimes they’d even unearth opalised fossils from prehistoric creatures along the way! 

By the 1970s, the opal rush was in full swing, and Coober Pedy became a bustling hub of activity. Miners from all walks of life flocked to the area, each hoping to uncover their own piece of this colourful treasure. Today, Coober Pedy is not just known for its opals; it’s a quirky town with underground homes and a vibrant mining culture that continues to thrive.

Opal Myths Shattered: Discovering the Real Magic of These Gems

For too long, opals have been shrouded in myths, like that old wives' tale about them being bad luck. Seriously? That’s like saying wearing polka dots will jinx your day. It’s time to set aside the misconceptions and celebrate the real story behind opals.

A common myth is that opals are only for October babies and that if you’re not born in that month, they’ll bring you bad luck. But history has a different take. In Chinese culture, these gems are all about good vibes, they’re thought to be healing and calming. People believe they can help clear your mind and attract positive energy.

Back in ancient Rome, they were symbols of hope and purity, often given as good luck charms. So, it’s no wonder they’ve earned a reputation for bringing prosperity and good fortune.


Some Weird Opal Myths:

Invisibility Myth: This quirky belief dates back to medieval times. The idea was that opals could bend light around the wearer, making them invisible. This myth likely stemmed from the opal's ability to display a variety of colours and its sometimes translucent appearance. In some stories, opals were considered a good luck charm for thieves, spies, and anyone else who wanted to move unseen. While it's a fun idea, there's no evidence that opals have ever made anyone invisible.

Hair Colour Protection: This myth was particularly popular in Scandinavian and German cultures. Blonde women would wear opal hair pins or necklaces, believing the stones would protect their hair from darkening or losing its golden hue. Some even thought opals could add a magical lustre to blonde locks. This belief might have arisen from the opal's ability to reflect light, which could make hair appear shinier when worn near it.

Colour Change with Poison: This one suggests that opals would change colour or lose their shine if they came into contact with poison, acting as a warning system for the wearer. While opals can appear to change colour under different lighting conditions, they don't actually react to poisons. It might have originated from the opal's sensitivity to extreme heat or cold, which can sometimes cause visible changes in the stone.

The Dreamtime Magic of Opals: Aboriginal Beliefs and Legends

According to Aboriginal Australian beliefs, there's some serious magic behind these gems. In many Aboriginal cultures, opals aren't just pretty rocks, they're sacred stones with deep spiritual significance. They're believed to be a direct link to the Dreamtime, that mystical era when spirits shaped the world.

The stories behind opals are as colourful as the gems themselves. In South Australia, indigenous Australians say opals were born when ancestral beings came down to Earth on a rainbow. Wherever the rainbow touched the ground, BOOM -  rocks and pebbles started glittering with all the colours of the rainbow.

Over in Lightening Ridge they've got a tale about a crocodile named Gurria. As Gurria breathed his last breath, a rainbow appeared, and its colours got trapped in the croc's scales. These colourful scales then became the opals we find in the ground. Now that's what I call a legendary send off. Another story tells of a spirit creator strolling across the land on a rainbow. Everywhere their feet touched, stones began to sparkle with all the world's colours. Imagine leaving that kind of footprint. 

These aren't just cool stories, though. For many Aboriginal people, opals symbolise a deep connection to the land and the spirit world. Some even believe these gems have healing powers, helping wearers tap into ancestral wisdom.

Ethiopian Opals: Vivid Colours on a Soft Base That Transform in Water

Ethiopian opals burst into the gem scene when they were first discovered in 1994, and really made waves with major finds in 2008 and 2013. They form in volcanic conditions, which gives them unique characteristics that set them apart from Australian opals. While Australian opals often have darker backgrounds, Ethiopian opals typically showcase a lighter body colour. This allows their vibrant flashes of colour ranging from electric greens to fiery oranges to really stand out and pop. 

What's more, many Ethiopian opals are hydrophane, meaning they can absorb water and temporarily change appearance, a property that adds to their mystique. When these opals come into contact with water, their vibrant colours often become more intense and pronounced. The stone may also become more transparent, allowing the play-of-colour to shimmer throughout its surface. Interestingly, some opals might darken slightly or take on a warm amber hue as they absorb moisture. 

Opals: More Than Just Beauty - Their Spiritual Powers Revealed

Opals are more than just beautiful gems; they carry some amazing spiritual energy. Many people believe that opals can help you dig deep into your feelings and thoughts, making it easier to reflect on what’s really going on inside. They’re like a gentle push to confront past issues and promote healing, which can lead to some serious personal growth.

In different cultures, opals are seen as symbols of hope and truth, reminding us to shine our inner light. They can amp up emotions, so while they might boost your creativity and joy, they can also bring up some heavier feelings if you’re not careful.

Overall, opals are thought to be powerful allies on your journey of self-discovery, helping you find clarity and peace along the way.


To wrap things up, opals are truly a gem like no other. With their stunning colours, rich history, and unique spiritual qualities, they’ve made a major comeback in 2024. Whether you're drawn to the classic Australian opals or the Ethiopian varieties, there's something magical about these stones that resonates with so many people.

From ancient myths to modern fashion, opals continue to captivate hearts and minds. So, whether you’re wearing one as a statement piece or simply admiring their beauty, opals remind us of the colorful journey of life and the connections we share with the world around us.