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Pink Opal, Meaning, Properties, and Facts
Opal · SiO2·nH2OMohs 5.5 to 6.5Amorphous
Pink opal is common opal, silica with water locked inside, that comes out pink instead of milky white and shows no flashes of color. Below: its properties, where it is found, what makes it pink, how to spot a fake, how to care for it and the meaning people give it.
What is pink opal
Pink opal is opal without the fireworks. Opal is silica with water held in its structure, usually 6 to 10 percent by weight, and precious opal flashes color because its tiny silica spheres are stacked in neat rows. Pink opal is common opal: its silica is disordered, so it has a soft, even color and a waxy glow instead of play of color. Data on the variety is on Mindat's pink opal page.
Pink opal properties
Pink opal properties are those of other common opal: softer and lighter than quartz, and sensitive to heat because of the water inside it. Opal as a gem is covered in GIA's opal guide.
| Mineral | Opal (common opal), pink variety |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | SiO2·nH2O (silica with water) |
| Color cause | Linked to traces of organic compounds, not metals |
| Hardness | 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale |
| Crystal system | None (amorphous to poorly crystalline) |
| Luster | Waxy to glassy |
| Main localities | Peru (Andes); also Mexico |
| Water safe | Quick rinse only |
| Sun safe | Room light yes; keep it away from heat |
Where pink opal is found
Pink opal is found mainly in the Andes of Peru, which is why it is usually sold as Peruvian pink opal, with smaller amounts from Mexico. It forms where silica-rich water seeps through rock and settles in cracks and cavities, slowly hardening into opal.
Why Peruvian pink opal is pink
Peruvian pink opal gets its color from traces of organic compounds, not from a metal, according to lab studies of fibrous pink opal from Peru and Mexico. The compounds are thought to be quinones, held in a fine mix of opal and a fibrous clay mineral called palygorskite. The black, fern-like marks in many pieces are dendrites, manganese oxide that crystallized along tiny cracks, and they are a sign of natural stone.
How to tell if pink opal is real
How to tell if pink opal is real comes down to luster, weight and color. Real pink opal has a waxy, soft glow, feels light for its size, and its pink is usually gentle and slightly uneven, often with black dendrites or cream patches. Hot pink, perfectly even color suggests dyed stone, and "opalite" is man-made glass, not opal at all. The most common honest mix-up is rose quartz, which is harder (Mohs 7), heavier, glassier and more translucent.
Pink opal care: water and sun
Pink opal care starts with remembering the water inside it. Pink opal can go in water for a quick rinse in cool water, but do not soak it, steam it or put it in an ultrasonic cleaner, and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can crack opal. Keep it off hot windowsills and away from heaters; normal room light is fine. See water safe crystals for the full list.
Pink opal meaning
Pink opal meaning, in crystal lore, is gentleness and calm, and people buy it as a soft, soothing stone for love and self-care. That is belief, not chemistry, and the same goes for pink opal benefits. Opal's own history is richer: its name probably comes from the Sanskrit upala, "precious stone" (more in GIA's opal history and lore), and Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein later gave opal a reputation for bad luck. Opal is a birthstone for October.
Pink opal price and value
Pink opal price and value depend on color, pattern, polish and size. Even, saturated pink, attractive dendrites and a clean polish cost more than pale or cracked pieces, but as common opal it stays far less costly than precious opal with play of color.
Pink opal for sale
Pink opal for sale on geoslut arrives in drops: each piece is one of one, photographed in daylight and labeled with its locality, and the list hears about every drop first.
Pink Opal FAQ
Is pink opal water safe?
Pink opal is water safe for a quick rinse, but do not soak it or expose it to hot water, steam or sudden temperature changes.
Is pink opal a real opal?
Pink opal is real opal, the common kind without play of color, which is why it costs far less than precious opal.
What is the hardness of pink opal?
The hardness of pink opal is 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so quartz grit and harder stones can scratch it.
What is pink opal good for?
Pink opal is good for gentle-wear jewelry, display and collecting; healing claims about it are belief, not tested fact.
Sources
- Pink opal, Mindat
- Opal, GIA
- Opal, Wikipedia