The superstition that Opal stones are evil originates from the novel ‘Anne of Geierstein’ written by Sir Walter Scott. In the novel Lady Hermione was falsely accused of being a demon, after holy water falls onto her opal jewelry and it changes its colour. This book effected the general public’s view of the Opal stone so much so that the Opal market completely went to shreds and Opal prices dropped by 50%. If this seems completely ludicrous, Google it. As time progressed this belief has slowly began to die down, however many people still chose to believe in the old superstition, southern European and middle eastern jewelers still refuse to carry opals. As you may wonder, what else had contributed to the bad reputation of the Opal stone?
\Medieval Europeans associated the opal with the “Evil Eye” because of its likeness to the optical organs of “evil” animals. They also believed that opals had the power to kill its owner. The owner of the opal had the power of teleportation and invisibility. Besides bestowing powers upon its owners, Opals also have the ability to disappear then reappear in another place. During the late 18th and 19th century the opal was associated with pestilence, famine, …show more content…
Months before they wed however, Alfonzo married Princess Mercedes. Filled with rage and resentment, Comtesse sent Mercedes an opal set in a ring of the purest gold. Two months later the princess mysteriously died. The ring was then handed down to Alfonzo’s grandmother, Queen Christina. Who died shortly after. The ring was the given to Alfonzo’s sister who died as well, with the same illness as the other two women. By now you would think the King would destroy the ring but it was given to Alfonzo’s sister in law who promptly died. Finally, the King decided to end his own life by wearing the ring, a month later the king