Opal Bad Luck? Where the Myth Started—and When It’s Totally Fine

Opal has been wrapped in superstition for nearly two centuries. Some people still warn that wearing an opal brings bad luck. Other people love opal for its rainbow flashes and soft, hypnotic look. Both views have reasons behind them. This article explains where the “bad luck” idea came from, what about the stone made people worry, and when—and how—it’s perfectly fine to wear opal every day.

Where the myth began

The modern superstition about opal largely spread in the 1800s. A popular novel and a string of anecdotes blamed an opal for misfortune. The fiction gave the idea cultural weight. People began to tell real-life stories that matched the tale. Those stories spread quickly in a time when jewelry was one of the few visible signals of wealth and fate.

There were older, positive beliefs, too. Romans prized opal as a gem that combined the best colors. Medieval Europeans regarded opal as a talisman. So the “bad luck” story is not ancient fact. It is a relatively recent cultural shift amplified by fiction and confirmation bias—people remember the unlucky examples and ignore the ordinary safe wearers.

Why people thought opal was dangerous

• Physical fragility: Opal is not a tough stone. Its hardness is about 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale. That makes it softer than quartz and diamond. Soft stones chip and scratch more easily. That led people to see opals break more often, and broken jewelry was often read as a sign of bad luck.
• Water content and cracking: Opal is hydrated silica. It contains water—typically 3–10% by weight, though some hydrophane varieties can contain more. If an opal dries too fast or is exposed to sudden heat, it can craze (develop fine cracks). In the 19th century, when controlled humid storage and modern adhesives didn’t exist, crazing and cracking were relatively common. People interpreted those failures as curse-like events.
• Changing looks: Some opals, especially hydrophane opals from Ethiopia, absorb liquids and change transparency and color when wet. That unpredictable behavior seemed ominous to people not familiar with the mineral science behind it.

What opal actually is—so you understand the risks

• Structure: Precious opal’s play-of-color comes from ordered silica spheres that diffract light. The size and arrangement of the spheres determine the colors you see.
• Types: Precious opal shows play-of-color. Common opal does not. Black opal has a dark body tone and often the strongest color play; white and crystal opals have lighter bodies. Fire opal (Mexican) often shows warm body color with or without play-of-color.
• Physical data: Typical refractive index is roughly 1.37–1.52, and specific gravity about 1.98–2.20. Water content usually 3–10% but hydrophane opal can be higher.

When it’s totally fine to wear opal

Opal is fine to wear when the design and care match the stone’s properties. Here are practical situations where opal works well:

• Pendants and earrings: These see fewer hard knocks. A pendant or stud earring is one of the best everyday uses for opal.
• Bezel-set rings: If you want an opal ring for regular wear, choose a cabochon (domed) cut and a protective bezel setting. The metal lip protects the edge of the stone where chips start.
• Solid opal over doublets/triplets: Choose a solid opal when possible for rings. If budget pushes you toward doublets or triplets, know they use glue and glass/quartz caps. Those constructions are less durable and need extra care.
• Synthetics for active wear: Synthetic opal or stabilized material is more consistent and can be a better choice for active daily wear. Lab opals still show play-of-color but are typically less prone to crazing.

How to care for opal—practical tips

• Clean gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. Rinse and dry. Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners; they can cause cracking or delamination.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes. Don’t wear an opal ring from a cold outdoors into a very hot shower or sauna. Heat can drive off water and cause crazing.
• Avoid harsh chemicals, perfumes, and bleach. Those can attack the stone or the glue in assembled pieces.
• If you live in a very dry climate, store opals in a padded box. Some people keep a small piece of damp cotton in a sealed bag for long-term storage. That prevents extreme drying—useful for heirloom-quality stones but not necessary for inexpensive pieces.
• For doublets and triplets, avoid prolonged soaking. Water can weaken the adhesive. Periodically check the glue line and the cap for separation.

Buying advice—how to avoid surprises

• Ask for origin. Australian opal (Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy) and Ethiopian opal (Welo) behave differently. Ethiopian hydrophane opal is more likely to absorb liquids and change appearance.
• Check thickness. A cabochon at least 5 mm thick is more stable for rings. Thin slices mounted as doublets/triplets are more fragile.
• Look for crazing and pits under magnification. Small hairline cracks or checkered crazing are signs the stone may fail later.
• For valuable pieces, ask for a gem lab report. That will confirm if the opal is natural, doublet, triplet, or synthetic.
• Choose protective settings. A low bezel or halo with prongs and a bezel wrap is best for everyday rings.

The bottom line

Opal isn’t cursed. The “bad luck” idea began in the 1800s and grew because opal is softer and more water-sensitive than many other gems. With sensible choices—the right setting, proper cleaning, and a little care—opal makes beautiful, wearable jewelry. Use opal where it won’t receive heavy impact (pendants, earrings, carefully set rings). For active lifestyles, pick synthetics or sturdier stones. If you understand the gem’s limits, you can enjoy its color without worrying about luck.