We’re a generation that is slowly moving away from conventions and stereotypes (in a good way) – especially when it comes to fashion.
More so when we speak of the biggest day of our lives – deciding on forever with our one and only.
Yes, Engagement!
While we honor how Diamonds and Engagement rings are like hand and glove to each other, we also love to explore what’s beyond the traditions. Isn’t it?
Enter – Opal Engagement Ring – something modern brides, after their long affair with diamonds, have fallen for.
But why is that the case? Is it really the result of women’s desire to turn to something new and unique for the big day? Or simply the magic of this gem’s extraordinary beauty/symbolism?
Why turn to an Opal Engagement Ring for the big day?
Hop on to find out…
A Brief Introduction to Opals
If you have heard of the name for the first time, it’s surely not going to be your last.
But first things first, let us discuss Opals from the very scratch.
Opal is a semi-precious porous gemstone, prominently hailed as the birthstone of October, that mesmerizes with its unique rainbow-like color hue (which we’ll get to later on). Since the name must have aroused your curiosity, let’s break it to you.
Some suggest that the name hails from the Sanskrit word ‘Upala’ meaning ‘precious stone’, while some are adamant that it comes from the Greek word ‘opallos’ which means ‘to see a change in color’ (hinting towards its unique color play).
Wherever the name originates from, one thing is certain – it is one of the most loved gemstones to adorn jewelry, right from opal rings to necklaces.
From Queen Victoria to Taylor Swift, haven’t we seen them all flaunt their opals with utmost pride? But speaking of popularity, engagement rings are sure to steal the top spot.
5 Reasons to choose an Opal Engagement Ring
Opals, with every distinctive thing that they bring to the table, are on the surge of popularity for betrothals and how! But there has been a debate on whether they are really the next women’s best friends. Should they have the honor to commemorate the big day? If yes, why?
Here are all the reasons you need to convince yourself to go the unconventional path with an Opal Engagement Ring:
● One-of-a-kind
Since every relationship is unique, it is only fair for couples to decide to commemorate it with a gemstone that does complete justice to it. That’s where Opals bring their magic into the picture with their iridescent sparkle. You’d be surprised to notice that Opal showcases every color in the rainbow, with its kaleidoscopic (almost flirtatious) play of colors.
Technically, the spectral color play is a phenomenon that arises as a result of light bouncing off the spaces between silica spheres (of Opals) thanks to their irregular patterns. The greatest love poet, Shakespeare, was so mesmerized by it, that he regarded Opals as ‘the queen of gems’.
All this, in a nutshell, went on to win the hearts of modern brides. Because why choose one color when you can have them all? So, yes, uniqueness is something that caters to unconventional couples’ desires and makes women’s opal engagement rings worthy of the splurge.
● The historic significance/symbolism
Tell us what is it that has made diamonds a long-term favorite for the big day, apart from the beauty of course? The emotional connection that speaks to couples, probably? That’s where it all boils down to the historical symbolism that every engagement ring offers. And opals don’t let you down when that’s the case.
If you begin to unearth Opal’s engagement ring meaning, you’ll find out it’s a gemstone rich in history. True to its magical appearance, it’s been believed to signify love, luck, hope, and purity. Pretty much everything that you’d want to commemorate your lifelong togetherness with!
While Europeans regard it as an emblem of purity and truth, Arabic even believed it to emanate from the heavens in the form of lightning (hinting towards their flashy color play). The best part? Pliny, the renowned Roman scholar, stressed that with its array of colors, Opal endowed the mystical powers of every gemstone (that’s certainly where it surpassed every other gem).
Since modern couples want to connect with their emblem so that they can cherish it for a lifetime, such strong historical connections have only helped Opal rings soar in popularity.
● Pocket-friendly
We understand how an engagement ring is one of the most significant expenses of your life. But does that also mean that it has to break the bank, or bring you out of your comfort zone? We hope not! And that’s another factor working in favor of opal rings’ appeal.
While its price band can range from as less as $100 to as much as $1000, other factors such as style, metal choice, etc…, have their fair share in impacting the price. But at the end of the day, an Opal ring for women is undoubtedly, easier on the pockets, paralleled to a diamond.
● Versatile
Design is a make-or-break for any engagement ring. And that’s where the versatility of Opals comes into play. With its shimmery, colorful yet ‘not over the top’ appeal, it goes with every style-be a simple solitaire or a sparkling opal ring with a diamond halo. Even vintage opal engagement rings are quite popular for those old-school couples. Simply put, these are made to cater to every preference.
Something that would make any bride fall in love with this October birthstone engagement ring is that it is neither too loud (so that it is incapable of going out of trend any day), nor ordinary (which goes without saying thanks to its unique color play).
With its colorful yet subtle hue, it strikes just the right balance between both. That is what undoubtedly makes it a treasured pick for the big day.
● Benefits
One noteworthy aspect when deciding on a stone for the big day is – what healing properties does it bring to the table? The more, the better – that’s the mantra when we speak of the astrological benefits of an engagement ring. Especially since we won’t put it off even for a minute after tying the knot forever.
1. Physical healing: Encourages blood purification, guards the female reproductive system, heals headaches, cures eyes/hair/skin-related problems, and strengthens the overall immune system.
2. Emotional healing: Imparts emotional balance, wards off negativity, nurtures love life, and fosters creativity, peace, positivity, and joy.
3. Spiritual healing: Enhances consciousness, psychic abilities, and intuitive powers.
Durability and the buzz
We understand how durability is a point of concern when it comes to engagement rings. Yes, Opals have a comparatively lesser hardness – that of 5 to 6.5 on Mohs Scale.
But considering what a beautiful betrothal ring it makes for, we can certainly make the splurge by taking care of it in the right manner:
● Clean it gently with a lukewarm solution of soapy water every month or two
● Keep it as far away from chemicals as you can
● Store it in a separate and secure jewelry box to prevent it from scratching
● To avoid fractures, keep it away from sudden temperature changes
● Remove while doing the unusual physical movement or in the shower/pool
● To shield from any possible drying out, keep in a moist environment
Final Thoughts About Opal
Changing times call for new trends. But when couples decide to defy the conventions and look for something new for their engagement ring, chances are ‘that something’ is not just a trend. It is shaping its way toward modern brides’ hearts and how! That’s Opal Engagement Ring for you. And in your interest, we have labeled down every reason that makes it such a winning pick for one-of-a-kind couples.
Whether you’re certain that Opals are the one for you, or are just browsing through options other than Diamonds, you will have a lot to take away from this discussion.
Having said that, here we sign off wishing you all the luck in finding that betrothal ring that resonates with your love.
Great info about opal jewelry and rings!!!! Thank you Fashion Beauty News!!
You shared good information on choosing an engagement ring.
Would like to see more wedding related articles at your blog. 😉
Very good info on opals. Thanks!
Can you please add more info on opal engagement rings meaning?