# Opal: meaning, traditions and care > Opal is hydrated silica. Its traditional meanings, chakra and star-sign links, how to care for it, and where it comes from. URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/opal Updated: 2026-10-30 Opal is hydrated silica, made of tiny spheres that split light into colour, usually white, black or crystal with flashes of every colour ('play of colour'). In modern crystal tradition it is linked with creativity and hope. At 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale it is hard enough for everyday handling and jewellery. ## Key facts | | Opal | | --- | --- | | What it is | Hydrated silica, made of tiny spheres that split light into colour | | Colour | White, black or crystal with flashes of every colour ('play of colour') | | Hardness (Mohs) | 5.5–6.5 | | Typical sources | Australia (most of the world's precious opal) and Ethiopia | | Chakra (tradition) | Crown and sacral | | Star signs (tradition) | Libra and Cancer | | Birthstone | October | ## History and folklore - Walter Scott's 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein helped give opal a reputation for bad luck; Queen Victoria's love of opals helped turn that round. - Opal is the birthstone for October. ## Traditional meaning In modern crystal tradition opal is associated with creativity and hope; October birthstone. These ideas mostly come from twentieth-century crystal books, built on older folklore. We share them as tradition and for personal meaning, not as health or medical claims. ## Zodiac and chakra associations Crystal writers link opal with [Libra](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/libra/crystals) and [Cancer](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/cancer/crystals), and with the [sacral chakra](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/chakras/sacral) and [crown chakra](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/chakras/crown). Lists differ between books, so treat these as starting points. ## How to care for opal Opal contains water and can crack if it dries out or changes temperature quickly. Avoid hot water, ultrasonic cleaners and long spells in hot sun. Wipe it with a damp cloth. Store it in a soft pouch or a lined box, apart from harder stones such as quartz, which could scratch it. ## Choosing opal - Look for even colour that suits you; natural opal varies from piece to piece. - Ask whether a piece is dyed, treated or reconstituted. Honest sellers say so. - Pick tumbled stones for carrying, larger pieces for display and set jewellery for wearing. ## Good companions Opal is often paired with [Opalite](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/opalite), [Moonstone](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/moonstone) and [Clear quartz](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/clear-quartz). ## Questions **What is opal?** Opal is hydrated silica, made of tiny spheres that split light into colour. It is usually white, black or crystal with flashes of every colour ('play of colour'). **What does opal mean?** In modern crystal tradition it is linked with creativity and hope; October birthstone. This is tradition and belief, not a health claim. **Can opal go in water?** Best not. Opal contains water and can crack if it dries out or changes temperature quickly. **Which star signs is opal linked with?** Libra and Cancer, in modern crystal tradition. **Where does opal come from?** Mainly Australia (most of the world's precious opal) and Ethiopia. **Can Opal go in the sun?** It is best kept out of strong sun: opal can fade, dry out or lose its lustre in direct sunlight over time. A short morning hour on a windowsill is unlikely to harm it, but don't leave it on a sunny sill for weeks. Many people use moonlight instead, which suits every stone. See the [full moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/full-moons) for the next date. **How do you cleanse Opal?** You can cleanse opal with the smoke of incense or a herb bundle, the sound of a singing bowl or bell, a night under the moon and a few hours on a selenite plate. In crystal tradition cleansing clears what a stone has 'soaked up'; practically, it is a gentle routine and a good moment to dust it. Skip water and salt for this stone. **How do you charge Opal?** The most common way to charge opal is to leave it out overnight under a full moon, then hold it and set an intention. Tradition also uses a selenite plate or a clear quartz cluster, rather than sunlight, because this stone can fade. Charging is a belief-based practice, so choose whatever feels meaningful to you. **Can Opal go in salt?** No, salt is best avoided for opal. At 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale salt grains can scratch, pit or draw moisture into it. Use smoke, sound or moonlight instead. Our [crystal care guide](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/crystal-care-guide) lists safe methods for each stone. A [selenite plate](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/how-to-use/selenite-plates) is a simple salt-free alternative. **What chakra is Opal for?** In modern crystal tradition opal is linked with the crown and sacral chakras. Its colour (white) is part of the reason, because chakra systems match stones by colour. To work with it, many people place it on the body during a short meditation or keep it nearby while they rest. **What zodiac sign is Opal good for?** Crystal writers most often link opal with Libra and Cancer. You can see how it sits with the other stones on our [Cancer crystals](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/cancer/crystals) page. These links are modern tradition, not ancient rules, so anyone can enjoy opal whatever their sign. **What crystals go well with Opal?** Opal is most often paired with [Opalite](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/opalite), [Moonstone](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/moonstone) and [Clear Quartz](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/clear-quartz). In crystal tradition the pairing works because the stones share a chakra or balance each other's themes, such as calm with energy or grounding with clarity. Keep softer stones in a separate pouch so harder ones don't scratch them. **Can you put Opal and Opalite together?** Yes, opal and opalite are a classic pairing in crystal tradition. Opal is linked with the crown and sacral chakra and opalite with the crown and third eye, so together they are used to blend two different themes. Both are hard enough to sit together in one pouch. **Can you put Opal and Moonstone together?** Yes, opal and moonstone are a classic pairing in crystal tradition. Opal is linked with the crown and sacral chakra and moonstone with the sacral and crown, so together they are used to blend and strengthen one shared theme. Both are hard enough to sit together in one pouch. **Can you put Opal and Clear Quartz together?** Yes, opal and clear quartz are a classic pairing in crystal tradition. Opal is linked with the crown and sacral chakra and clear quartz with the crown (and all chakras in many systems), so together they are used to blend two different themes. Both are hard enough to sit together in one pouch. **Where should I put Opal in my home?** A good spot for opal is in a creative space, studio or kitchen, where tradition places stones of creativity and warmth. Keep it away from a sunny windowsill so the colour lasts. Avoid bathrooms and kitchens, where steam and splashes can damage it. Feng shui and crystal placement are traditions, so trust where it feels right. **Can you wear Opal every day?** Yes, with a little care: opal is fine for daily wear but can scratch over time. It measures 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, where quartz is 7 and household dust (which contains quartz) is about 7 too. Put it on after perfume and lotions, and take it off for washing up, the gym and sleep. **Is Opal safe for crystal water?** Only use the indirect method: don't put opal straight into drinking water. Stones can carry dust, dyes, glue or resin from polishing, and this one is not water-stable either. Instead, use a bottle with a sealed crystal chamber, or stand a sealed glass beside the stone. **What is Opal made of?** Opal is hydrated silica, made of tiny spheres that split light into colour. It is usually white, black or crystal with flashes of every colour ('play of colour'), and it measures 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Knowing what a stone is made of tells you how to care for it: this one prefers a damp wipe to water. **Is Opal good for beginners?** It can be, as long as you know opal needs gentle care. Many beginners start with stones they find beautiful, then add clear quartz, which crystal tradition calls the all-purpose stone. A quick wipe now and then is all it needs. ## Related - [Opalite meaning](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/opalite) - [Moonstone meaning](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/moonstone) - [Clear quartz meaning](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/clear-quartz) - [Crystal meanings A–Z](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals) - [Crystal care guide](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/crystal-care-guide) - [Birthstones by month](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/birthstones) --- Starseed UK describes spiritual uses as tradition and belief, never as health or medical claims. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40.