Welcome to the board Susan!

I have read in the UK press at the turn of the twentieth century that, in part, the concept that opals are an unlucky stone came from the writings of Sir Walter Scott. I also noticed similar comments in the Australian press at various times when miners and jewellers tried to make the gems more popular.

Because of Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's fondness for opals, a significant number of jewels were made for Queen Victoria and her daughters and daughters-in-law. It would be interesting to know if any of these items are still in the collections of any of the British royals and their descendants.

I'll start a thread on royal opals to see what we can ascertain.

Again, a warm welcome.