With Halloween looming around the corner, there surely couldn’t be a better occasion to discuss the mysterious stories surrounding gemstones which, allegedly, bring bad luck. Here, Lily Faber FGA DGA EG delves into the superstitions surrounding three infamous gemstones.
When gemstones are used or appreciated for their mystical properties, it is generally for their positivity or ability to influence an optimal outcome. However, through the centuries, some gems have acquired a reputation for being unlucky to the owner, including opal, black diamond and pearl.
While we gemmologists do not believe in the superstitions surrounding these equally fascinating gemstones, it cannot be denied that such stories are quite intriguing – and could prove useful for telling spooky Halloween tales!
Opals
Throughout much of history, opals were actually believed to be good luck. The Romans thought that opals were one of the luckiest gemstones and a symbol of hope. In the Middle Ages, opals were believed to be bestowed with all the positive properties of coloured gemstones due to its rainbow-like play of colour.
Play of colour visible in a precious opal. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.
Despite a long association with good fortune, there are many stories and legends that link this colourful stone with bad luck, the ‘evil eye’ and even death.
Read more: What Are the Different Types of Opal?
One of the most prominently cited sources for opal’s bad reputation stems from its appearance in Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel, Anne of Geierstein. In the story, Lady Hermione wears a dazzling opal in her hair. After it is sprinkled with a few drops of holy water, the opal loses its play of colour and she dies shortly thereafter, reduced to a pile of ashes. She was accused of being a demon due to this series of events, thus relating opals to the dark forces.
It is hardly likely that Scott was the first to malign the opal, and he was not the last. While this novel allegedly caused the sale of opals to decline, Queen Victoria did not let this deter her love of opals and in fact she had a large collection of opal jewellery.
Rough precious opal. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.
In the late 19th century, Alfonzo XII, King of Spain, experienced a spate of deaths in his family. His wife, grandmother, sister and sister-in-law all died within a short time of receiving an opal ring as a gift from him (each received the ring after the previous family member had died), and finally, he suffered the same fate after wearing the ring himself.
Read more: Opal for Those Born in October
It is most likely that the cholera epidemic, old age and other diseases like typhoid fever caused these deaths, but a link between opal and death had been strengthened. Centuries before, it was associated with the Black Plague of the 14th Century. Opal was a popular gem at that time and when those wearing opals died, their gemstones would apparently lose their colour entirely.
A less deadly belief existed in Europe in the 11th century, where some thought that opals could grant the wearer invisibility, thereby associating the stone with thieves and spies as they could carry out their bad deeds unseen!
A red-orange fire opal. Image: Henry Mesa, Gem-A.
Finally, there is a superstition that you should not wear an opal unless it is your birthstone otherwise misfortune will befall you. This, of course, is far-fetched, but the notion could have been promoted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries by diamond traders who were trying to increase sales of diamonds and deter people from buying opals. Possibly related to this is the thought that you should set opal jewellery with diamonds as their powers of good fortune will override any negativity held by the opal.
Black Diamonds
Depending on where you are in the world, black diamonds can be a force for good or evil. In Italy, it was believed that if a married couple touched a black diamond, it would bring them good fortune and all of their worries and troubles would dissipate, absorbed by the stone. However, in ancient India, black diamonds were believed to be the harbingers of death as they were thought to resemble the eye of a snake or spider.
Pearls
Pearls can symbolize purity, wisdom and loyalty. However, some believe that they should not be given to a bride on her wedding day as they can bring sadness or tears to her marriage. This may stem from a historic association between pearls and tears.
Cultured freshwater pearls. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.
In ancient Japan, pearls were believed to be the tears of mermaids and angels, and in ancient Greece, it was thought that pearls were the tears of the gods. To further their association with tears, seed pearls were used in Victorian mourning jewellery as a representation of human tears.
Read more: Saltwater versus Freshwater Pearls
Additionally, there is a superstition that pearls should not be given as gifts because they will bring the wearer great sadness and bad luck. To counter this, the recipient of the pearls should give the person gifting them the pearls a penny or small amount of money to ‘purchase’ the pearls from them.
Whether you believe that opals, black diamonds and pearls can cause you great misfortune or bring you luck and joy, we can all agree that their histories are made very colourful by the ancient folklore and superstitions associated with them. However, we think that studying the gemmology of these incredible gems will reap a much more interesting – and trustworthy – insight!
Cover image: An ethiopian opal. Image: Pat Daly, Gem-A.
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Greetings, enthusiasts of gemstones and the mystical realms they inhabit. I am an expert gemmologist, well-versed in the intricate tapestry of gemstone lore and the fascinating world of gemmology. With a proven track record in gemstone analysis and an extensive background in the field, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to illuminate the mysteries surrounding opals, black diamonds, and pearls.
Let us embark on a journey through the captivating stories that intertwine superstitions with these enchanting gemstones, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming Halloween festivities.
Opals, with their mesmerizing play of colors, have a complex history that oscillates between good fortune and ill fate. Despite being regarded as symbols of hope by the Romans and carriers of positive energy in the Middle Ages, opals later found themselves entangled in tales of misfortune. The notorious 1829 novel "Anne of Geierstein" by Sir Walter Scott linked opals to death and the 'evil eye,' cementing their reputation as bringers of bad luck. Historical incidents, such as the deaths in the Spanish royal family following the gifting of opal rings, further fueled the superstition. Opals were even associated with the Black Plague, where the gemstones allegedly lost their color when worn by those who succumbed to the epidemic.
Intriguingly, opals were once believed to grant invisibility in 11th-century Europe, associating them with thieves and spies. The superstition that opals should only be worn as birthstones to avoid misfortune may have been a clever marketing tactic by diamond traders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Turning our attention to black diamonds, their reputation varies across cultures. In Italy, they were considered symbols of good fortune, absorbing worries and troubles when touched by a married couple. Contrastingly, ancient India associated black diamonds with death, resembling the ominous eyes of snakes or spiders.
Pearls, embodying purity and wisdom, have a nuanced history intertwined with tears and superstitions. In ancient Japan and Greece, pearls were believed to be the tears of mermaids, angels, and gods. The association between pearls and tears led to their use in Victorian mourning jewelry. A superstition cautions against giving pearls as gifts, predicting sadness and bad luck for the wearer, but a counter-ritual involving a symbolic purchase aims to ward off misfortune.
As we delve into these tales, remember that while superstitions may weave colorful narratives around gemstones, a deeper understanding of gemmology provides a more reliable perspective. Whether opals, black diamonds, or pearls, their histories are richly embellished by ancient folklore, making them all the more captivating to explore. For those aspiring to delve deeper into the world of gemstones, consider partaking in upcoming gemmology workshops or the Gemmology Foundation course.
In the realm of gemstones, let knowledge be the guiding light through the labyrinth of myths and mysteries.
