Opal Stone (Dudhiya Pathar)

Opal, often called "Queen of Gems" is famous for its beautiful play of colors - flashes of red, blue, green and yellow that dance and change when you move the stone. For centuries, people in many cultures have loved and respected opal gemstone for its beauty and mystery. In ancient Greek myths. It was believed that opals came from the tears of Zeus, while in Australia, large opal stone fields have made the stone a national treasure.

Opal is part of the silicate mineral family, but Its different from many gems because it doesn’t have a regular crystal structure. That’s why Its called a mineraloid instead of a mineral. Opal pathar is made from hydrated silica (written as SiO₂·nH₂O) and usually contains 6–10% water by weight, though this can range from 3% up to 21%. The water inside opal helps create its famous moving colors, known as opalescence.

What makes opal so special is this shifting rainbow of colors, which can look different from every angle. This colorful display is why opal is so unique and loved all around the world.

In astrology, opal pathar is linked to Venus, planet of love, beauty, and peace. This gives stone meanings of balance, harmony, and calmness. People say wearing opal gemstone can help bring emotional stability, increase love and kindness, and boost empathy. Opal is also believed to help left and right sides of brain work better together, which can improve creativity, mental clarity, and brain activity.

Opal is also opal birthstone for October, making it an especially meaningful gem for people born that month. It is often seen as a symbol of personal strength, emotional healing, and creativity, and is said to help connect heart and mind.

Name "opal" comes from Sanskrit word upala, meaning "jewel" The word then moved into Greek as opállios (ὀπάλλιος). This shows how long opal pathar has been valued by people everywhere. Thousands of years ago, Romans saw opal stone as a sign of hope. In medieval Europe, people believed it had magical powers that could keep away evil.

In many cultures, opal stands for transformation and new beginnings, because its colors are always changing. Whether worn as jewelry, carried as an amulet, or used in spiritual practices, opal has always been a symbol of beauty, mystery, and special energy.

Who Should Wear Opal Gemstone?

Opal, also known as ‘Dudhiya Pathar’ in Hindi, is a gemstone linked to planet Venus (Shukra). Venus is the planet of beauty, love and charm. Wearing opal gemstone is believed to bring many good things, like making someone more creative, calming their emotions, and helping relationships feel more loving and peaceful. Because of its connection to Venus, opal is also thought to help married couples stay happy and protect people from stress and sadness.

Astrological Advice for Wearing Opal

Indian (Vedic) Astrology: In Vedic astrology, opal is very good for people born under zodiac signs Tula (Libra) and Vrishabha (Taurus). These signs are ruled by Venus, so opal helps bring out their best qualities.

Western Astrology: In Western astrology, opal is birthstone for Libra. Libras are ruled by Venus too, so opal gemstone helps them stay balanced and peaceful.

Other Zodiac Signs: Besides Libra and Taurus, people with ascendants (lagna) in Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius can also benefit from wearing opal stone. It can help them feel happier, more creative, and calmer in life.

How to Wear Opal Ratna

Weight: Opal you wear should be about one-tenth (1/10) of your body weight in carats. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, you should wear an opal that is at least 6 carats. If you weigh 70 kg, then choose at least a 7 carat opal.

Metal: Opal looks and works best when set in silver, platinum, panchdhatu, gold, or white gold. You can wear it as a ring, pendant, or another piece of jewelry. These metals match well with opal’s natural energy.

Finger: You should wear opal gemstone on middle finger or ring finger of your right hand. If your left hand is your working (dominant) hand, then you can wear it on middle or ring finger of that hand instead.

Day: Friday is best day to start wearing an opal diamond. This day is ruled by Venus, the planet connected to love, beauty, and peace.

Time: Its good to wear opal early in the morning between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM. This should be done during Shukla Paksha, which is bright and growing phase of the moon. It is believed that this brings more positive energy and growth.

Mantra: Before wearing opal, hold it in your hand and chant the mantra “Om Shun Shukraye Namah” 108 times. This is done to help the stone connect with your energy and bring you its benefits.

Color: When picking an opal gemstone, choose one that has bright flashes of color that change when you move it in light. Its better to pick an opal with a milky or see-through base because this makes the colors look even brighter and more beautiful.

Types of Natural Opal Stone

Opal stone, which many people in India call Dudhiya Pathar, comes in many beautiful types. Each type has its own special colors and looks.

Ethiopian Opal

These opals come from Ethiopia. They often show bright flashes of green, yellow, orange, and red. Their body color can be milky white or clear. They are usually more affordable than other opals.

Australian Opal

Australian opal gemstones are thought to be best in the world. They mostly come from places like Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge. These stones show very bright and strong colors and are loved everywhere.

Black Opal

Black opal stones are very rare and also very expensive. They have a dark base color, which makes bright rainbow colors shine even more. They are often used in high-end, luxury jewelry.

Fire Opal

Fire opals are famous for their bright orange, red, or yellow color. Some fire opal gemstones don’t show the rainbow color flashes like other opals, but people still love them because of their bold and fiery look.

Blue Opal

Most blue opals come from Peru. They have a soft, light blue color that feels calm to look at. People believe these opals help bring peace of mind and heal emotions.

Boulder Opal

These opals form together with a natural stone called ironstone. This gives them dark, unique patterns mixed with colorful flashes. Boulder opals are also stronger, so they’re good for wearing every day.

White Opal

White opals have a pale, milky body color with soft rainbow flashes. They are popular as birthstone for people born in October. Many people love them for their gentle and peaceful look.

Benefits of Wearing Opal Gemstone

Wearing an opal stone isn’t just about how pretty it looks - people believe it can bring many good changes to life.

Helps with creativity: Opal gemstone is said to make you more creative and help your imagination grow. This makes it a great stone for artists, writers, and anyone who wants to think of new ideas. It can also help you find hidden talents you didn’t know you had.

Brings emotional healing: Opal has a calm and gentle energy. Many people wear it to feel less stressed, stay calm during hard times, and keep their emotions balanced. It can bring peace and help you feel emotionally stronger.

Attracts luck and success: Opal stone is often called a lucky stone. It is believed to bring good fortune, help you find new chances in life, and support your career or business so you can do better and grow.

Improves relationships: Opal gemstone is linked with trust, loyalty, and better understanding. It can help you get closer to your partner, family, or friends by improving communication and bringing more harmony and love into relationships.

Supports physical health: Some people think opal diamond can also help the body. It is believed to make your immune system stronger, help with digestion, and even improve eyesight. Its gentle energy is said to keep your body balanced and healthy.

Helps in spiritual growth: Opal pathar is connected to the crown chakra, which is linked to wisdom and spiritual awareness. It can help open your mind, make your intuition stronger, and support meditation or inner thinking.

Special power of red opal: Red opal gemstone is known for sparking love and passion. It is believed to make romantic feelings deeper, increase devotion, and bring more warmth and happiness into relationships.

Original Price of Opal Gemstone

In India, the price of real opal stone usually starts from around INR 2,000 per carat to INR 10,000 per carat or even more. Cost depends on many things like gemstone’s color, clarity, cut, weight and where it comes from.

Factors Affecting Opal Stone Price

Color: Color of an opal is one of the biggest things that decides its price. Opals that show bright, colorful flashes - especially black opals with a dark background - are the most valuable. Opals that have lighter or softer colors usually cost less.

Clarity: Clearer opals that don’t have cracks, spots, or cloudy areas are more expensive. When an opal stone looks clean and shiny, it becomes more valuable because it reflects light better and looks prettier.

Cut: How the opal is cut also affects opal price. Opal gemstones are often shaped into smooth, round stones called cabochons so their colors show nicely. If an opal is cut well and its colors look bright from every angle, it will cost more than one that is cut poorly.

Carat Weight: Just like other gemstones, bigger opals cost more. Larger stones that have bright colors and fewer flaws are rarer, so they are more expensive.

Origin: Where the opal pathar comes from makes a difference too. Australian opals are famous for their strong rainbow flashes and are usually the most costly. Ethiopian opals are a bit cheaper but still have nice colors. Mexican fire opal gemstones have a bright orange-red color, and while they may not always show rainbow flashes, they are loved for their deep color.

Dudhiya Pathar Buyer Beware Guidelines

Buying an original opal gemstone can be tricky because prices and quality vary a lot depending on color, clarity, type, and origin. To help you avoid fake, low-quality, or overpriced stones, here are some important things to keep in mind before you buy:

Research before you buy: Opals come in many types like Ethiopian opal, Australian opal stone, black opal gemstone (Kalimaya stone), and milky white opal crystal (dhudhiya pathar). Each has its own market price based on color play, clarity, and weight. Learn what makes a stone valuable so you can judge quality yourself and avoid overpaying.

Always choose certified opals: A genuine opal diamond should come with a lab certificate confirming Its natural and untreated. This protects you from accidentally buying synthetic or imitation stones, which look similar but have much lower value.

Buy from a trusted seller: Whether you’re buying a black opal or a dhudhiya pathar, the seller’s reputation matters. Choose a jeweler or brand known for dealing in original, certified opal crystals and check customer reviews before buying.

Be careful when buying online: Online shopping is convenient but riskier. Make sure the website or seller is trusted and always ask for:

• A certificate of authenticity
• Clear photos showing the stone’s color play and clarity
• Details on the stone’s origin and treatment (if any)

Compare prices smartly: Opal stone prices vary by size, type, and quality. Check both price per carat and price per ratti to see if the deal is fair. Don’t rush for the lowest price very cheap stones may be low quality or fake.

FAQs About Opal Stone

1. What is opal stone good for?

Opal is believed to bring many good things. People say it helps you become more creative and supports emotional healing. It can also make you feel more connected spiritually. Many think opal pathar brings good luck, helps you earn more money, and makes relationships stronger. Its beautiful, colorful shine also makes it a favorite for jewelry.

2. Who should wear opal stone?

Opal crystal is especially good for people born under the zodiac signs Libra and Taurus. It can also help artists, writers, singers, and anyone who wants to be more creative. People who wish to heal from emotional pain, grow spiritually, or have better relationships might also like wearing opal gemstone.

3. What is opal called in India?

In India, opal is usually called “Dudhiya Pathar,” which means milky white opal stone. Some also call it “Kalimaya” which means black opal. These names describe the different colors and types of opals you can find.

4. What is opal gemstone, and how is it formed?

Opal is a special stone made from water and tiny pieces of silica (a mineral). When water moves through rocks, it leaves behind these small silica particles. Over a long time, they stick together with water to become opal crystal. The colorful shine you see inside an opal pathar comes from how light bends through these tiny silica spheres.

5. What is an opal used for?

Opal is mostly used to make pretty jewelry like rings, earrings, and pendants because of its lovely rainbow colors. Besides looking beautiful, many people believe opal can help you feel calm, become more creative, and grow spiritually. Opal is also known as the birthstone for people born in October.