Brown Opal Heart - 1.1-1.2 inch

The Brown Opal Heart runs through tan, coffee, and warm grey-brown, sometimes uniform across a piece and sometimes patterned where the silica set in stages. The material has a soft waxy lustre rather than a glassy one, and thinner edges pass a little light without ever becoming properly translucent. This is a small carving, polished on both faces, sized to sit between a thumb and forefinger.

Brown Opal is traditionally associated with creativity and expression, values that surface easily in a stone this tactile and visually varied to work with. That same expressive quality settles into balance and harmony, giving common opal a steadier, less showy read than the precious variety. At this size the Heart is most often carried loose or kept somewhere it will be handled rather than displayed.

Key Properties
Primary Focus: Creativity & Expression
Secondary Focus: Balance & Harmony
Chakra Association: Crown, Sacral
Zodiac Sign: Libra, Pisces
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit, Goat
Ruling Planet: Neptune
Elements: Water, Fire
Mohs Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Stone Family: Mineraloid
Material: Brown Opal
Origin: Madagascar
Form: Heart
Finish: Polished
Approximate Size: 29-31 mm (1.1-1.2 inches)
Approximate Weight: 11-19 g
Listing: Single unit

Geological Information
Brown Opal is a variety of common opal, a hydrated silica mineraloid rather than a true mineral, amorphous in structure with a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5. It forms through precipitation of silica-rich water into cavities and voids, and what separates common opal from precious opal is simply the absence of play of colour; the composition is identical. Opal contains between three and twenty-one percent water within its structure, which is unusual among gem materials. Brown, yellow, white, green, and blue all occur in common opal, with colour arising from trace mineral content. No treatment is applied. Opal has been worn since Roman times, and Pliny the Elder wrote about it admiringly enough that it was regarded in antiquity as among the most complex and beautiful of all stones. Common opal is sourced from Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the USA, and Ethiopia; the supplier states this material as Madagascan. Opal holds water within its structure, and losing it causes fine surface cracking known as crazing. Keep it away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, very dry air, and sudden temperature changes. Do not soak it or leave it in water, and clean with a soft damp cloth rather than by immersion.

AuturaSol Standard
Each natural stone is selected for its authenticity, geological integrity, and energetic clarity. Natural variations in colour, structure, inclusions, and surface features are inherent to geological materials and contribute to the individuality of each piece. Any known treatments, enhancements, stabilization, or man-made characteristics are clearly disclosed within the product information where applicable. Every piece is inspected and photographed to reflect its true character; however, lighting conditions, screen settings, and natural variation may cause slight differences in appearance. If you have any questions about a piece before completing your purchase, we're always here to help. Where authenticity meets beauty, we tell you exactly what you're holding.