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When you think of Christmas, your mind first wanders to the moments spent with family, snuggled together in a familiar warmth around a tree. There are probably two colours that come to mind, likely the vibrant hues of red and green. The iconic colours waft their way into our homes through sprigs of mistletoe, holly berries, and twinkling lights. Remarkably, these same shades can appear in opals, though they’re far from common.

Opals have always been celebrated for their dazzling play of color, but beneath their shining barrier lies a hierarchy that the average jewellery enjoyer may not be aware of. Did you know that some hues found within opal are rare and more precious than others? Among these coveted shades, green and red opals hold a special place, making them perfect for adding a little extra holiday magic to your festive jewelry collection.

Opals owe their vibrant colors to their unique molecular structure. Layers of silica spheres create diffraction, splitting light into a rainbow of hues. These silica spheres have to be arranged and ordered in closely packed arrays to diffract white light into different spectral colours; The angle, size, and arrangement of these spheres determine which colors you see. The alignment required for red and green is particularly tricky, making these colors the gemstone equivalent of a rare Christmas miracle.

In a general talk of opal colour, purple can be seen as the most common, followed by blue, then green. Red flashes in opals are among the rarest and most valuable, thanks to the precise alignment of silica spheres required to create this fiery hue. Smaller spheres are known to produce cooler tones whereas larger spheres reveal warmer tones such as red, yellow, and orange. Because these colours are determined solely by the size of the spheres, it means that the creation of such a festive gemstone is down to its molecular construction. It is already quite rare for an opal to exist, but with such difficulty in creating the red and green hues, it is no surprise that the Australian stone is so uniquely prized. Much like the holiday season’s rare and fleeting moments of joy, these colors serve as a reminder of how precious and extraordinary the natural world can be.

Red flashes in opals are among the rarest and most valuable, thanks to the precise alignment of silica spheres required to create this fiery hue. Red opals can shimmer with the warmth of a crackling fireplace or evoke the cheerful glow of Christmas ornaments hanging on a tree.

Styling Ideas for the Season

Red Opal Jewelry: A pendant or ring with a fiery red opal is perfect for holiday parties. Pair it with gold or rose gold to enhance its warmth, creating a look as cozy as a Christmas Eve by the fire.

Green Opal Earrings:  Green opals, are like a slice of holiday magic. This color often resembles the evergreen boughs of a Christmas wreath, symbolizing life and renewal even in the depths of winter. Gleaming green opals set in silver or white gold evoke frosty pine trees dusted with snow—an elegant nod to the winter season. 

Festive Combos: Why not embrace both colors? Jewelry featuring opals with both red and green flashes captures the full spirit of Christmas in a single piece, ensuring you shine brighter than the star atop the tree.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Whether you're shopping for someone special or treating yourself, opal jewelry with red or green flashes is a meaningful and unforgettable gift. These gemstones not only celebrate the beauty of nature but also bring a touch of holiday joy to any look.

So, as you sip your mulled wine or unwrap gifts by the tree, consider letting a rare green or red opal light up your holiday season. After all, what could be more festive than wearing a piece of nature's finest Christmas colors?

Happy Holidays — and happy opal hunting!