Cherry Opal: How To Buy, Meanings, Facts, Properties & More

Cherry Opal is a popular gemstone known for its vibrant color and unique properties. This article explores its origins, symbolism, and physical/metaphysical properties.

Originating from Mexico, Cherry Opal is known for its striking red hues and translucent appearance. It is often associated with love, passion, and creativity, making it a popular choice for those seeking to enhance their emotional well-being or express their artistic side. With its captivating color and mesmerizing patterns, Cherry Opal is sure to make a statement in any jewelry piece or gemstone collection.

Cherry Opal is a fascinating gemstone with unique properties. It is durable, has metaphysical properties, and is aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re a gemstone enthusiast or just curious, join us to explore the captivating world of Cherry Opal.

What Is Cherry Opal?

Cherry opal belongs to the opal family, which consists of various types with distinct characteristics. Cherry opal stands out due to its intense red hue, resembling the color of cherries, hence the name. It forms through a process called precipitation, where silica-rich water seeps into cracks and crevices in rocks over an extended period. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind silica deposits that eventually solidify into opal.

The cherry opal’s vibrant red color is primarily due to iron oxide impurities present during formation. Its colors can vary from deep red to lighter shades like pink or orange, often displaying captivating play-of-color when viewed from different angles under light sources.

Meaning and Symbolism

One intriguing aspect of cherry opal is its believed ability to enhance emotional well-being and foster positive relationships. As a gemstone with unique metaphysical properties, it is often sought after as a healing stone due to its mystical qualities.

Cherry opal is known for its beautiful natural colors, which range from deep reds to vibrant pinks and oranges. These captivating hues are said to stimulate feelings of love, passion, and creativity.

Additionally, cherry opal is thought to possess occult qualities that can help individuals tap into their intuition and connect with higher spiritual realms. Whether used in jewelry or kept as a talisman, cherry opal is cherished for the sense of harmony and balance it brings to one’s life.

Crystal Healing Uses

Crystal healing practitioners often utilize cherry opal to promote emotional healing and enhance intuitive abilities. This gemstone is believed to have the following crystal healing uses:

1. Emotional Healing: Cherry opal is thought to help release negative emotions such as anger, fear, and anxiety. It promotes a sense of calmness and inner peace.
2. Intuition Enhancement: By stimulating the third eye chakra, cherry opal can enhance one’s intuition and psychic abilities. It helps in developing a deeper connection with one’s inner self and intuition.
3. Self-Reflection: Cherry opal encourages self-reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to gain insights into their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
4. Spiritual Growth: This gemstone is associated with spiritual growth and transformation. It assists in aligning one’s energy with higher vibrations, facilitating spiritual awakening and personal growth.

Overall, cherry opal holds various meanings, facts, properties, and crystal healing uses that make it a valuable tool for those seeking emotional healing, intuitive development, self-reflection, and spiritual growth.

Sleeping Placement

Positioning the cherry opal in a specific way during sleep is believed to enhance its properties and benefits. Here are four recommended sleeping placements for optimal results:

1. Under the pillow: Placing the cherry opal under the pillow is said to promote peaceful and restful sleep, reducing insomnia and nightmares.
2. On the nightstand: Keeping the stone on the nightstand near your bed can create a calming atmosphere, helping you relax before sleep.
3. In a pouch under the bed: Some believe that placing the cherry opal in a small pouch and keeping it under the bed can bring emotional balance and tranquility during sleep.
4.  On your bedside table: Placing the cherry opal directly on your bedside table allows its energy to flow freely, creating a soothing environment conducive to deep sleep.

Remember that personal experiences may vary, so find what works best for you when exploring these different sleeping placements with your cherry opal.

Recharging Cherry Opal

One crucial aspect of caring for the cherry opal gemstone is the process of recharging, which ensures its continued strength and effectiveness.

Recharging the gemstone involves exposing it to certain conditions or energies that help restore its natural properties. Read our beginners guide on chakra learn more about recharging and cleansing your opal 

Zodiac Birthstone

Cherry opal is believed to bring luck and passion to individuals born under Aries and Scorpio.

Known for its stunning red hues, the cherry opal is believed to bring luck and passion to those born under Aries and Scorpio. Its vibrant color is said to symbolize energy and vitality, making it an ideal stone for those seeking motivation and zest for life.

In addition, the cherry opal is known for its calming properties, helping individuals find inner peace and emotional balance. Whether one chooses to buy a cherry opal as a zodiac birthstone or simply appreciates its beauty, this gemstone offers both aesthetic appeal and meaningful symbolism.

History of Cherry Opal?

Opal itself has a rich history, dating back thousands of years. However, the specific history of Cherry Opal is relatively modern.

The discovery of Cherry Opal is believed to have occurred relatively recently, in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is thought to have been first found in Mexico, which is still one of the primary sources of this gemstone today. Other known deposits of Cherry Opal include Brazil, Peru, and the United States.

Its historical importance adds to the allure of this gem, making it a popular choice for jewelry. When incorporated into jewelry pieces, cherry opal brings an unmatched elegance and charm, drawing attention to its stunning appearance.

Overall, the history of Cherry Opal is relatively young compared to other gemstones, but its stunning appearance and unique properties have quickly made it a beloved and cherished gemstone in the world of jewelry.

Physical Properties

Cherry opal is a gemstone that can display a range of vivid colors, mesmerizing the beholder. Let’s explore the physical properties that contribute to its uniqueness.

• Hardness: The cherry opal has a hardness of 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale, indicating a moderate resistance to scratches.
• Toughness: The toughness of the cherry opal is considered fair, meaning it can withstand normal wear and tear but may be prone to chips or fractures under excessive force.
• Luster: This gemstone exhibits a vitreous to resinous luster, adding to its overall beauty and appeal.
• Specific Gravity: The specific gravity of the cherry opal falls within the range of 1.98-2.20, which is slightly higher than the average density of most minerals.
• Water Content: As an opal variety, the cherry opal is known to contain significant water content, often ranging from 3% to 21%.
• Inclusions: Inclusions within the cherry opal can vary and may include traces of other minerals or impurities, which can influence the stone’s appearance and value.
• Fracture: The cherry opal typically exhibits a conchoidal fracture, meaning it breaks with smooth, curved surfaces resembling the interior of a seashell.
• Cleavage: Cleavage is not typically observed in the cherry opal, indicating a lack of distinct planes along which the stone readily splits.
• Carat Weight: The cherry opal is commonly found in smaller sizes, with carat weights ranging from a fraction of a carat to a few carats, making it suitable for various jewelry applications.
• Color: The cherry opal is renowned for its vibrant and captivating range of colors, including shades of red, pink, and brown.
• Shape: Cherry opals can occur in various shapes, including oval, round, pear, and irregular shapes, allowing for diverse and creative jewelry designs.

Crystal Pairing

There are several crystals and gemstones that can be paired with cherry opal to enhance its energy or create a harmonious combination. Here are a few options:

Rose Quartz: Known as the stone of love, Rose Quartz can enhance the loving and nurturing energies of cherry opal. It promotes self-love, compassion, and harmonious relationships.

Amethyst: Amethyst is a powerful crystal that enhances spiritual growth and intuition. It can amplify the spiritual and psychic energies of cherry opal, creating a deeper connection with your higher self.

Clear Quartz: Clear Quartz is a versatile crystal known for its ability to amplify and cleanse energies. It can enhance the healing properties of cherry opal while providing clarity and balance.

Moonstone: Moonstone is a stone of feminine energy and intuition. Pairing it with cherry opal can enhance emotional healing, intuition, and connection with the moon’s energy.

Labradorite: Labradorite is a magical stone that enhances spiritual connection and intuition. It can amplify the transformative and mystical energies of cherry opal, creating a powerful combination for personal growth.

Rhodonite: Rhodonite is a stone of compassion and emotional healing. It can enhance the loving and nurturing energies of cherry opal while promoting forgiveness and emotional balance.

Remember to trust your intuition when choosing crystals and gemstones to pair with cherry opal. It’s important to pick the ones that resonate with you personally.

Buying Guide

Authenticity is crucial when buying cherry opal. There are fake versions in the market that may look like the real gemstone.

To ensure you are getting an authentic piece, it is advisable to buy from reputable sources such as trusted gem dealers or certified jewelers who specialize in rare gems. Careful examination and certification can help ascertain the authenticity of your cherry opal purchase. Reading our complete buying guide to help you make the best choice when purchasing cherry opals.

Rarity and Value of Cherry Opal

The occurrence of cherry opal is relatively scarce. One of the defining features that contribute to its rarity is the color variation within the stone. 

Mexican cherry opal, in particular, is highly prized for its unique color spectrum and exceptional translucency. Due to its limited availability and distinctive appearance, cherry opal holds significant value in the gem market, attracting individuals who appreciate rare and exquisite gemstones.

Read our comprehensive list of valuing opals, and understand how rarity affects the value of cherry opals.

Care Tips

To ensure the longevity and beauty of this exquisite gemstone, proper care and maintenance techniques are essential. Read up on our step-by-step guide on how to properly care for your opals plus tips of storage.

Final Thoughts

Cherry Opal is a unique gemstone known for its vibrant red color and mesmerizing patterns. Its metaphysical properties are said to promote emotional healing and enhance creativity. As a birthstone for the zodiac sign of Cancer, it is believed to bring protection and harmony to those born under this sign.

To care for Cherry Opal, it is recommended to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and store it separately from other gemstones.

Overall, Cherry Opal is a beautiful and meaningful stone with numerous benefits for its users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cherry Opal A Natural Stone Or Is It Artificially Created?

Cherry opal can be both natural and artificially created. Natural cherry opals are formed over time through geological processes, while synthetic ones are produced in a laboratory to mimic the appearance and properties of natural stones.

Can Cherry Opal Be Used For Meditation Or Spiritual Practices?

Cherry opal can be used for meditation and spiritual practices due to its soothing and calming energy. Its vibrant red color is believed to stimulate the Third Eye Chakra, enhancing one’s intuition and psychic abilities.

Are There Any Specific Zodiac Signs That Benefit More From Using Cherry Opal As A Birthstone?

Cherry opal is believed to have positive effects on various zodiac signs, particularly Aries and Scorpio. These signs are said to benefit from the stone’s ability to enhance emotional well-being and promote harmony in relationships.

Is Cherry Opal A Common Gemstone Or Is It Considered Rare?

Cherry opal is considered a rare gemstone due to its limited availability in the market. Its scarcity contributes to its value and makes it highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

Can Cherry Opal Be Used In Jewelry Making Or Is It Too Soft And Delicate For That Purpose?

Cherry opal can be used in jewelry making, despite its soft and delicate nature. However, it requires special care and should be protected from hard impacts or chemicals to prevent damage.