Opal, Dendritic Meaning and Properties
Dendritic Opal History
Dendritic opal’s name originates from the Greekword δένδρον (dendron), meaning tree, and the Sanskrit word उपल (upala), meaning precious stone. In Indian mythology, the virgin Goddess of the Rainbow was turned into an opal by the Mother Goddess because she was being chased by suitors Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Ancient Greeks thought the stone could give people the gift of prophecy and protected them from disease. During Roman times, the Latin word opalus came into use.
Dendritic opal may be misidentified as moss agate and similar stones, as this milky gem does not have the play of color common to precious opals. Instead, dendritic opal showcases inclusions that look like miniature trees, mossy branches, ferns or underwater kelp forests. That's why some gemstone lovers call it "moss opal," "tree opal" or "landscape opal."
To learn more about the different kinds of opal, view the opal meaning and properties article.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Dendritic Opal?
For believers in the metaphysical, dendritic opal meaning is linked to growth, both physically and spiritually. It is thought to enhance intuition and improve mental clarity.
Dendritic opal meaning has been associated with multiple chakras, depending on the different colors of the base opal. It is said that the different colors impart different energies and effects to a wearer:
- White base (crown chakra): purify the spirit and improve mental clarity
- Purple base (crown chakra): enhance spiritual awareness and intuition
- Blue base (throat chakra): promote balance and aid in clear communication
- Green base (heart chakra): encourage personal development and promote a sense of harmony
- Pink base (heart chakra): nurture love, compassion and emotional healing
- Yellow base (solar plexus chakra): evoke joy and promote a positive outlook
Among some practitioners, dendritic opal is also believed to possess powerful ritual, magical and healing abilities. They may refer to this stone as Merlinite, connecting it to the legendary figure from stories of King Arthur.
What is Dendritic Opal Made From?
Opals come in three natural varieties: opalescent precious opal, fire opal (yellow to red-orange) and common opal—which includes dendritic opal. No matter the variety, opals are non-crystalline, hydrated silicon dioxide gemstones that contain up to 30% water. It's possible for opals to dry out and crack, so don't wear them for hours out in the hot sun!
Dendritic opals are found in the veins and cavities of igneous or sedimentary rock, often near other forms of opal. Dendritic opals are found in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Madagascar and multiple locations in the United States, including Oregon.
- Mineral Information: Hardened silica gel with dendritic inclusions, usually of manganese and/or iron
- Chemical Composition: SiO2-nH2O
- Color: Milky, white, yellow, grey
- Hardness: 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 1.98 to 2.50
- Refractive Index: 1.37 to 1.52
How Do You Clean Dendritic Opal?
Regardless of type, opal is a soft, porous stone that is sensitive to environmental factors such as heat and moisture. While dendritic opal is slightly more durable to sudden surface shocks (accidental bumps), the gem is still vulnerable.
Don’t wear your opals in the shower, while swimming, using cleaning agents, applying perfume, using a hair dryer or other temperature and chemical exposures. And never, ever run opal—even dendritic opal—through a steamer or ultrasonic cleaner! The best way to clean dendritic opal is with a soft, untreated cloth and mild soapy water; do not dip the gemstone in the water. Gently pat dry and be sure jewelry is completely dry before storing or wearing.
Store opal jewelry away from other pieces of jewelry, since metals and harder gemstones can cause damage to these softer stones.
Dendritic Opal FAQ
Q: Is dendritic opal a real opal?
A: Dendritic opal is a real opal, despite not having the iridescent play of color that is usually associated with opals.
Q: What are the dark patterns inside dendritic opal?
A: The tree-like patterns in dendritic opal are usually inclusions of manganese or iron.
Q: Can dendritic opal fade or change over time?
A: Generally, the color of natural dendritic opal will not fade, however, because of its high water content, if it becomes dehydrated, it can lose luster.
Q: What is the difference between dendritic opal and dendritic agate?
A: Dendritic just means “tree-like.” Opal and agate have different chemical compositions and qualities, despite the similarity in the forms their inclusions take. Opal contains water; agate does not. Agate is also harder than opal and tends to be banded and translucent, whereas opal has a milky appearance.
Designing with Dendritic Opal
Dendritic opal is still an opal, with an opal's fragility, and needs to be used accordingly. It is ideally suited to wear in necklaces, earrings or pendants rather than anklets, bracelets or rings that could experience impacts and scratches.
Dendritic opal, with its milky white to light amber base coloring, can be treated as a white or golden stone when using color theory design ideas. The unique thing about dendritic opals is that every one of them is, in fact, unique. The inclusions that give this opal its name are completely different in each stone. This means creating matching earrings is a huge challenge—but a showstopper pendant is much easier, since the stone does most of the work itself. The branching inclusions are usually black or dark green—strengthening the tree-like imagery in the stone—and can be highlighted or downplayed in the design.
Shop for Dendritic Opal
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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