Earth Day Every Day: Mystic Opals

Apr 21

Iridescent stones + three days = magic

There are stones that sparkle and stones that glow. Iridescent stones like opals, moonstones, and labradorite have a mystical essence that’s drawn people for centuries. We hope to draw you in for the next three days honoring Earth Day at a time when we all need to step up our environmental efforts. We’re grateful for the natural resources and beauty Mother Earth provides for us (like iridescent stones!), but climate change is real, and she needs our gratitude back.

How will you be a part of the change? Starting point: recycling. Consider buying jewelry made from recycled gold or redesigning an old piece of jewelry.

Opal derives from the Greek word “opallus,” meaning “changing color,” and comes in endless color varieties. Common opals are more translucent, and precious/gem opals have flashes of colors—think fire opals. With a soft vibration, opals stimulate creativity and spontaneity. Found in Brazil, Honduras, and the western US, 95% of precious opals hail from Australia with black opals as the most expensive opal of all. Ready to meet some mystic opals?

**Black Australian Opal**

Designer Guita worked in the fashion and beauty industries for years before launching her NYC-based jewelry brand in 2007. Her collections reflect her exploratory nature, including one-of-a-kind pieces with unusual stones created by local artisans, like this stunning black Australian opal heart pendant.
GuitaM 18k white gold, diamond, and natural black Australian opal heart charm, $7,920 at Muse x Muse

**Boulder Opal**

Natural finite gemstones are the focus of designer Brooke Gregson’s namesake jewelry. This cuff holds one of the most intense colored opals—the boulder opal—only found in Australia. Boulder opals are rare, amounting to only 2% of the world’s opals.
One-of-a-kind 18k gold diamond and Georgian bezel boulder opal cuff, $12,000 at Brooke Gregson
*This item is sold out.

**Opal Drip**

LA-based designer Samantha Conn named her line Luna Skye after the moon, which she shares a special connection with because of her father: “He always told me that no matter where we are in the world, as long as we look at the moon, we will be connected.” She uses celestial opals throughout her collections.
14k gold, diamond, and opal “Drip” earrings, $2,100 at Luna Skye
*This item is sold out.

**White Opal**

Designer Yehouda Saketkhou of Yael Designs grew up in a family of jewelry designers. After his family moved to the US from Iran and France, he apprenticed at his uncle’s shop in California. He draws inspiration from art and travel, sculpting wearable works of art like this gallery-worthy double opal ring.
Yael Designs 18k rose gold, diamond, and white opal ring, $13,000 at Van Atkins Jewelers

**Celestia Opal**

Since 2009, MANIAMANIA has been beloved by gem lovers, including fashion notables Dree Hemingway and Lizzy Jagger (who happened to be past collaborators). Their organic-meets-rocker vibe shines through their precious metals and ethically sourced diamonds. Best known for bespoke, their ready-to-ship pieces, like this delicate opal necklace, shouldn’t be missed.
14k yellow gold and opal “Celestia” pendant, $1,200 at Mania Mania

Editor: Samantha Durbin

Market Editor: Johannah Masters

Every item featured is personally selected by our writers and editors (read: we're totally into it). Please know that when you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission (read: we get to keep doing what we love).