Famous Opals in History: Jewels of Legend

Famous Opals in History: Jewels of Legend

The opal’s play-of-colour has inspired wonder for centuries, and some individual stones have become legendary in their own right. From royal collections to mysterious lost gems, these famous opals are milestones in the history of one of the world’s most enchanting gemstones.

The Burning of Troy

Perhaps the most romantic of all opals, The Burning of Troy was gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to his beloved Empress Joséphine. This fiery red opal, glowing with flashes of crimson, was named for its resemblance to the legendary flames that consumed Troy. Though its whereabouts are now uncertain, its story remains one of love, conquest, and loss.

The Andamooka Opal

In 1954, the people of Australia presented Queen Elizabeth II with the Andamooka Opal, a dazzling stone weighing over 200 carats. Set into a necklace and earrings, the opal displayed an extraordinary brilliance, symbolising Australia’s opal wealth and its connection to the Crown.

The Flame Queen

Discovered in 1914 in Lightning Ridge, Australia, the Flame Queen is one of the most famous black opals ever found. Its striking “eye-of-opal” effect — a red domed centre surrounded by green and blue — has made it one of the most recognisable and celebrated opals in the world.

The Olympic Australis

Unearthed in 1956 in Coober Pedy, Australia, the Olympic Australis is the largest gem-quality opal ever discovered. Weighing in at an astonishing 17,000 carats (3.45 kilograms), it remains uncut and is considered one of the purest specimens of its kind, a true natural treasure.

The Halley’s Comet Opal

Found in Lightning Ridge in 1986, around the time of Halley’s Comet’s return, this opal is the largest uncut black opal ever discovered. Weighing nearly 2,000 carats, it glows with an ethereal blue-green fire, befitting its cosmic name.

The Aurora Australis

Also from Lightning Ridge, the Aurora Australis was discovered in 1938 and is often hailed as the most valuable black opal in the world. Its vivid harlequin pattern of red, green, and blue against a dark background evokes the southern lights after which it is named.

Lost and Legendary Opals

History also whispers of opals that vanished:

• Roman generals wore opals as talismans of fortune.

• Medieval kings kept opals as treasures of sovereignty.

• Some famed stones were destroyed or lost, their legends living on while their brilliance was extinguished.

Conclusion – The Living Fire of History

Each of these opals is more than a gemstone; it is a story set in stone. From Napoleon’s fiery gift to the monumental treasures of Australia, famous opals embody the magic, mystery, and majesty of this extraordinary gem.

They remind us that opal’s fire is not only a wonder of nature but also a living thread of human history, linking rulers, explorers, and dreamers across the ages.