Are Opal Wedding Rings Bad Luck?
The stone in your wedding ring is the centerpiece of one of the most important pieces of jewelry you’ll ever wear. While many wedding rings feature diamonds, you can find gorgeous rings with other stones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and more.
Opals have long been admired for their timeless yet unique look. However, the thought that opal wedding rings bring bad luck has caused many wearers to question their choice of stone.
Are Opal Wedding Rings Bad Luck?
In short, no. Opal wedding rings are not bad luck. Unfortunately, ages-old superstitions have given the precious opal a bad reputation.
What’s more: wearers who don’t know how to properly care for their opals may ruin their ring without realizing what they’re doing wrong, instead blaming their misfortune on old wives’ tales.
Opal Superstitions
Why do so many people believe opal rings bring bad luck? There are quite a few superstitions surrounding this unique stone.
You may already know that opal is the birthstone for October babies. One popular belief is that, unless opal is your birthstone, it’s bad luck to wear it. Others believe that an opal has to be given to you in order for you to wear it; if you purchase an opal ring for yourself, bad luck could come your way.
Opals are also associated with death in many of its ancient rumors. For instance, one superstition states that an opal will lose its luster after its original owner passes away. Another tall tale claims that a woman who wears an opal engagement ring will become a widow before long.
But where did these rumors come from?
We can’t know for sure how opals got such a bad reputation. The prevailing theory, though, is that the rumors were mainly started by 18th and 19th century jewelers who wanted customers to purchase more diamonds.
Caring for Your Ring
It’s true that opals are more susceptible to damage than other types of stones, but it’s not because of ancient myths.
The hardness of a stone is measured on the Mohs scale. Diamonds, as the hardest substance on Earth, rank at a 10 on the scale. Opals, however, only come in around 5.5 or 6.5.
Opals are easy to scratch, chip, or crack if you’re not careful. Take care to remove your opal ring while you’re doing chores like washing dishes, gardening, or cleaning the house. You may even consider taking it off while you sleep or only wearing it for special occasions.
Find Your Opal Wedding Ring at Perry’s
Perry’s Diamond and Estate Jewelers is proud to offer an extensive catalog of wedding rings, including gorgeous opal varieties. Our team can help you find the perfect ring for your sweetheart and answer any questions you might have about choosing and caring for your opal.
If you prefer a different stone, we’ve got you covered. We carry a wide range of stones in virtually any size, shape, or color you can imagine. Contact Perry’s Diamond and Estate Jewelers today to learn more.