Opal is a gem formed from silica-rich waters. It takes its name from the Sanskrit word Upala which means precious stone. Later, it would be called Opallios during Roman times. There are two kinds of Opal – the common opal and the precious opal. Opal meaning is amplification, hope, and purity.If Opal doesn’t invite your heart to dance, check out our essential gemstone guide to healing crystals and find a stone that calls to you.Opal re-entered our modern world when it was found in Queensland Australia a century ago. A young boy who was out searching for gold and quartz with his father stumbled upon the shimmering delights and filled his sack with fistfuls of these fallen stars. The dream of collecting Opal tempted few men to battle the harsh elements of Australia’s backcountry, with Opal miners penning tales of desperation, extreme heat, thirst, stabbing bushlands and larger than life bugs. But Opal was such a precious prize to be won. Beyond the far corners of Australia, Opal is also mined in Mexico and Brazil.