Opal derived its name from "Opalus" which meant "to see a change in color." Opals were popularized by the Romans and this early opal is thought to have come from Cernowitz, a mountainous region in Hungary, now Slovakia.

Mark Antony loved opal. Indeed, it is said that he so coveted an opal owned by Roman Senator Nonius that Antony banished the senator after he refused the sell the almond sized stone, reputed to be worth 2,000,000 sesterces (U.S. $80,000).

Precious opal has been used in the crowns of kings, and the crown jewels of France included fine specimens of opal. Napoleon presented his Empress Josephine with The Burning of Troy, a magnificent opal with brilliant red flashes. Shakespeare described the opal as "that miracle and queen of gems."

Queen Victoria became a lover of opal and wore opals throughout her reign. Her friends and her five daughters were all presented with fine opals. Opal became highly sought after during the Victorian era because the Royal Court of Britain was regarded as the model for fashion around the world, and fine quality opal had recently been discovered in far off Australia.

Today fine quality gem opals are owned and worn by many Royals and Heads of State.

From Australian Precious Opal--A Guidebook for Professionals, by Andrew Cody