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Opal Beads

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Morado Purple Plain Pears 18 inch 22 beads - The Bead Traders
Ethiopian Jelly Opal plain nuggets 17 inch 85 beads 4x4-4x6mm - The Bead Traders
3mm Shaded opal Microfaceted Rondelles 12 inch 135 beads - The Bead Traders
6-8mm Yellow Green Opal Plain Heishis 16 inch 135 beads - The Bead Traders
6-7mm Popcorn Yellow Opal Plain Heishis 16 inch 105 beads - The Bead Traders
8.5-9mm Yellow Orange Opal 2mm Large Hole Plain Rondelles 8 inch 36 beads - The Bead Traders
5.5mm Light Sea Green Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 125 beads - The Bead Traders
8.5mm Periwinkle Opal 2mm Large Hole Plain Rondelles 8 inch 34 beads - The Bead Traders
7x7-9x9mm White & Yellow Opal plain cubes 6.5 inch 46 Beads - The Bead Traders
6mm Light Pink Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 90 beads - The Bead Traders
7.5-8mm Pale Lemongrass Opal 2mm Large Hole Plain Rondelles 8 inch 36 beads - The Bead Traders
Yellow Opal Plain Nuggets 12 inch 50 beads - The Bead Traders
Pink Opal Round Silver Chain by the Foot 21 pieces - The Bead Traders
8-9mm Blue Green Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 65 beads - The Bead Traders
8mm Yellow Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 75 beads - The Bead Traders
6-7mm Multi Blue Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 105 beads - The Bead Traders
8mm Hot Pink Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 65 beads - The Bead Traders
8-11mm Dark Purple Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 65 beads - The Bead Traders
9x10-17x10mm Brown Opal straight drill plain nuggets 76 inch 33 beads - The Bead Traders
7mm Matte Multi Opal Plain Rondelles Black Gold Chain 28 beads - The Bead Traders
Morado Purple Plain Nuggets 18 inch 34 beads - The Bead Traders
Black Gold Bezel Mystic Opal Connector 1 piece - The Bead Traders
8-8.5mm Purple Opal 2mm Large Hole Plain Rondelles 8 inch 35 beads - The Bead Traders
Pink Opal Round Black Gold Chain by the Foot 25 pieces - The Bead Traders
6mm Light Pink Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 120 beads - The Bead Traders
8.5mm Yellow Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 70 beads - The Bead Traders
7-9mm Light Blue Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 65 beads - The Bead Traders
4x3mm Pink & Purple Opal Rondelle Gold Chain 28 pieces - The Bead Traders
6-8mm Forest Green Opal Plain Heishis 16 inch 135 beads - The Bead Traders
6.5-7mm Pink Opal Plain Heishis 16 inch 115 beads - The Bead Traders
10mm Spring Green Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 60 beads - The Bead Traders
Purple Opal Rondelle Silver Chain 30 pieces - The Bead Traders
17x10mm Shaded White Opal Plain Nuggets 18 inch 31 beads - The Bead Traders
8.5mm Multicolor Opal Plain Rondelles 16 inch 65 beads - The Bead Traders
13mm Black Gold Bezel Mystic White Opal Coin Cabochon Pendant 1 piece - The Bead Traders
Purple Morado Opal Hand Cut Faceted Rondelle Beads 12 inch 95 pieces - The Bead Traders
133 results

Ancient and mysterious Opal Beads are prized for the colors that flicker and flow inside them. Common opals are also beautiful and come in many colors. These inspirational stones are found in different places around the world.

Affordable beads online is easy with the Bead Traders, since we buy beads in volume. This means we can pass the savings on to you whenever you are looking to purchase gemstone beads and beading supplies. Ask any one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives if you have any questions, or need assistance. Whether it's for jewelry, or a project, everything you need is right here in one store. Check out our massive inventory and selection today!

Play of Fire

The thing that differentiates precious opals from common opals is the play of fire. This is an effect seen in precious opals that looks like colors dancing under the surface of the stone. Opals are made of silica and up to 20% water, with an internal structure made up of silica “bubbles” pushed together. When light enters the stone, it is reflected off of the bubbles, creating a fantastic light show. Common opals do not show the play of fire, but they come in many beautiful colors, such as orange, gold, green, blue, pink, white and tan. Some opal beads also have dark inclusions that create tree-shaped designs in the cut and polished stones.

Opal Areas

Australia produces over 90% of the precious opals in the world. Mines near the town of Coober Pedy in southern Australia are the biggest producers. Other types of opals come from different parts of the world. Welo opals were found in Ethiopia about ten years ago and these are of as high quality or higher than Australian opals. Fire opals feature a bright orange color reminiscent of flames and are usually found in Mexico. Honey opals are another variety that come from Mexico and the American southwest. Peruvian opals are found in the Andes Mountains and come in shades of pink, blue and green.

What’s in a Name

There is some debate over the origin of the word “opal.”  Some say that It comes from the Roman word opalus, the name of a part of a yearly fertility festival. Others say it comes from the Greek word opallios, which means both “to see,” and “to change or alter.” However, most scholars believe that the stone got its name from Sanskrit (upala). Many ancient opals came from India, so this is probably true.

Fallen Reputation

For centuries people believed that opal jewelry was very lucky. They thought that the stones possessed the attributes of all the gems whose colors flashed inside the opal. The opal’s reputation began to slide in the nineteenth century when it became connected with bad luck. Opal is the recognized birthstone for people who were born in October, but unlike the other birthstones, some people consider it bad luck to wear opals if they are not born in October. No such superstition is attached to the practice of giving opal beads as gifts for the fourteenth wedding anniversary.

Stone of Inspiration

Opal is a stone of inspiration and creativity. Wearing opal jewelry is said to help a person think more clearly and remember things better. Opals have a high water content and water is tied to emotion, so opal beads can help with emotional transitions. In traditional crystal healing, opal is used to treat headaches, eye problems, Parkinson's disease and problems of the vascular and immune systems.

Guaranteed Value

the Bead Traders is your site for opal beads and more. With our Three-Part Value Pledge, we promise to sell you the best quality beads at the best price we can find. We buy our gemstones in bulk and this lets us keep prices low for these top quality beads. All of our merchandise is quality inspected and we never substitute lower quality items for higher if we are out of what you ordered. Explore your creativity with some colorful opals from the Bead Traders!

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