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Crystal Meanings

Boulder Opal: Meaning, Healing Properties & Benefits

Boulder Opal is a powerful stone with an unbelievable appearance. You need to see it in person to truly appreciate its beauty!

This guide will cover the meaning, healing properties and various benefits of using Boulder Opal. There’s a lot to like about this unique stone!

History & Overview

Standard Opal is a much-beloved stone with a long history of captivating humans. While it’s signature “play of colors” effect is breathtaking on its own, there’s one type of Opal that takes the beauty to another level! 

Boulder Opal is a unique stone that combines two distinct minerals into one. Essentially, it’s a cut of Ironstone with inclusions of sparkling Opal inside. The juxtaposition of the dark and Earthy tones of Ironstone with the opalescence of Opal is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Polished Boulder Opal

From a compositional standpoint, Boulder Opal is two minerals fused into one. However, it’s precisely cut to highlight the beauty of both. Think of it as a cross-section showing how the two diverge naturally.

Opal is a hydrated form of silica. Millions of years ago, silica from decomposing rocks mixed with water and flowed into the seams and cracks of Ironstone, a type of sandstone. Over time, the silica mineralizes.

It doesn’t crystallize like other gemstones. Instead, it has an amorphous crystal structure that contributes to its “play on color” effect. The intense heat and pressure fuse the Opal to the Ironstone, resulting in the impressive beauty we see today!

On its own, Opal is well-revered. Throughout history, early humans thought of it as a mystical “night stone” that glowed in the confines of pitch-black caves. Eventually, it took on a meaning of mysticism and power. Many civilizations thought it held the remnants of spirits.

Boulder Opal is unique in its own right. Miners first discovered it in 1870 in Australia. To this day, most of the Boulder Opal on the market is found in Western Queensland.

Boulder Opal Meaning

Boulder Opal is a stone with many meanings. Its purpose is multi-faceted, which offers plenty of flexibility for those who want to harness its powers.

Ultimately, healers believe that the overarching meaning of Boulder Opal is betterment. Its energy is about improving your life and chasing your dreams.

Just take a look at the stone itself! It’s a personification of that tiny spark of hope we all have inside. Even in our darkest days, that spark shines bright. The illuminating opalescence is your hopes and dreams just waiting to release.

Everyone goes through struggles that challenge their faith and make them question everything. You might feel like you’ve lost purpose or direction. Whatever the case may be, the meaning of Boulder Opal is there to guide you back into the light. 

It shines a light on your hopes and dreams, putting you back on the path to fulfilling your destiny. Many believe that the shimmering stone helps create a better future for whoever accepts its energy. Open your heart, mind, and soul to its healing properties, and you may feel the warmth of inner strength welling inside of you.

This stone has a knack for purifying the heart and pushing you to achieve your goals no matter how out of reach they might seem.

Healing Properties & Benefits

While not as well-known as other stones in the crystal healing scene, Boulder Opal has a lot to offer. According to many practitioners, it can provide a myriad of potentially life-changing benefits.

Here are some of the most notable advantages that the healing properties of this stone can bring.

Emotional

When it comes to your emotional well-being, Boulder Opal is like a friend offering ongoing support. It’s a fantastic companion to have as you navigate all of life’s challenges.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or your “status” in life. Everyone goes through struggles that can alter their trajectory and change the course of destiny. You never know how things will play out, and life’s unpredictable nature is impossible to plan for.

Despite the uncertainty around every corner, staying strong and vigilant is crucial. Otherwise, you can find yourself drowning in a sea of dark energy. Some people never get out of it and suffer in silence for the rest of their days.

While that sounds pretty bleak, a bright stone such as Boulder Opal can be a life-saver. Its healing properties can help pull you up from the depths of despair. No matter how deep into the darkness you’ve fallen into, the bright light of Boulder Opal can guide you out of it.

It’s often said that Boulder Opal directly fights darkness with joy and optimism. Of course, it can’t manifest joy out of nowhere. Instead, the stone helps you change how you look at the world and the situation around you.

It’s about finding joy in the little things and learning how to find optimism even in challenging times.

The properties of Boulder Opal can also help you think more clearly. When you encounter tough situations, it’s hard to focus on anything else. Your mind can become oversaturated with negative thought patterns, making you sink deeper and deeper into a dark place you have no business being in.

This stone works to declutter your mind, providing you the utmost clarity to conquer anything. Not only that, but its meaning offers ongoing protection from those who might try and bring you down. It ensures that you don’t take on the negativity of others, allowing you to get better and adopt a healthier way of thinking.

Spiritual

Spirituality is a commonly misunderstood part of healing. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to belong to any specific organized religion to focus on your spiritual health. It’s about gaining a better understanding of yourself, the world, and the universe at large.

Boulder Opal is an excellent tool to have in your spiritual healing arsenal. This stone’s healing properties are very profound, penetrating deep within your soul to reshape your spiritual journey forever.

Whether you realize it or not, your quest for knowledge and enlightenment is ongoing. But many people encounter roadblocks that force them to abandon their journey. Eventually, those people can end up feeling lost and unfulfilled.

Boulder Opal is a faith-bringer. It helps strengthen your dedication to your spiritual health, putting you on a path to ultimate bliss.

Healers say that its meaning can help you unveil inner truths about yourself. Not all of them are easy to stomach, but facing those realities is crucial in your path towards spiritual enlightenment. You have to confront your own potential and destiny no matter how hard it is.

Once you get past that challenge, you’re free to explore every corner of the universe. Boulder Opal strengthens your faith in not only the universe but yourself. Its meaning is about believing that you can achieve anything in this world and having the vigor to fight for your destiny.

Physical

Most healers turn to Boulder Opal for its spiritual and emotional benefits. But even still, some turn to it with the goal of manifesting healing in their physical body. 

Boulder Opal has a strong association with ocular health in the crystal healing community. It’s said to promote more clarity and better overall eye health. Some practitioners even say it soothes sore eyes, helps with allergic reactions that affect the eyes, and even reduces the pressure that could lead to more frustrating eye issues later on.

Like other stones in the crystal kingdom, Boulder Opal is often used with the intention of detoxifying the body, too. Your body has many filtering organs that help to flush potentially dangerous toxins. The stone’s energy is often used by practitioners to help strengthen those processes, making it easier to stay healthy.

If you suffer from regular muscle aches, Boulder Opal might be worth considering. Crystal healers often say that this stone can help relieve tension and address backaches. It might also speed up recovery after an intense workout or injury.

Finally, some say that Boulder Opal is a good choice for addressing stress-related issues. For example, crystal healers often recommend the stone for those who deal with chronic migraines, acne, stomach problems, and low energy levels. Boulder Opal can encourage more vitality by tackling the source of your stress.

It’s a great crystal for stress and anxiety that can help you leave ailments caused by this turmoil behind.

Metaphysical Properties

In metaphysical healing, Boulder Opal is one of the more powerful tools to use. Its energy profile and healing properties are complex, leaving a lasting impression on some of your most critical energy points.

Before we get into the stone’s over-arching effect, let’s talk about where it has its biggest influence: the root chakra.

The root chakra (also called Muladhara) is the first of your seven primary chakras. Arguably, it’s also one of the most important. That’s because it acts as an entry point for life force energy.

When it becomes blocked, your energy can’t flow upward into other chakras. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep it open and free.

Blockages have a pretty significant impact on your well-being. Many say that blocked root chakras result in feelings of loss and complacency. Instead of having the drive to accomplish your goals, you feel unstable, as if you’re on shaky grounds.

A pile of Boulder Opal stones

The meaning and properties of Boulder Opal make it one of the most inspiring stones around! As we mentioned earlier, it instills faith that you can do anything! 

Having the gemstone by your side in metaphysical healing can help you rediscover your purpose and put you on a path to reaching your full potential.

Healers love to use Boulder Opal specifically as a stone for the root chakra. However, its impact is much broader than most realize.

You see, Boulder Opal comes in a slew of colors. While shades of brown and tan are common for Ironstone, they can also take on more vibrant shades. You might find samples with swirls of blue, black, green, red, and more.

On top of all that, you have the color-changing effect of the Opal. The multi-colored beauty of Boulder Opal is what makes this stone so special.

So, what does that have to do with metaphysical healing?

Each of your seven primary chakras has an association with a distinct color. For the root chakra, it’s red. For the crown chakra, the color is purple.

Ultimately, the metaphysical effect of Boulder Opal depends entirely on its color! It always influences the root chakra, but the secondary effects depend on the type of stone you hold. If you have a sample with every color of the rainbow, you may even achieve the coveted Khundali’s Awakening!

That alone makes Boulder Opal one of the more powerful tools you can have in metaphysical healing.

Ways To Use It

As you can imagine, the beauty of Boulder Opal lends itself well to jewelry. That’s the most common way to use it! Whether you have it as a sizable amulet-style necklace or the stone is set into a beautiful ring, the healing powers of Boulder Opal remain.

Wearing it as a piece of jewelry has its perks. It stays within your auric field, creating a direct line of healing as you wear it. Enjoy ongoing optimism and strength throughout the day by keeping its meaning and healing properties close!

Smaller chunks of Boulder Opal are available as well. As a loose stone, you have a bit more flexibility in use.

You can hold it in your pocket and carry it around for constant healing. Alternatively, you can apply it to your chakras directly. Use it as part of your meditation routine, or add it to a stone altar arrangement for healing rituals.

Either way, the stone’s power is almost tangible.

Thanks to the stone’s relatively soft nature, you can sometimes find it in sculptures and figurines, too. In those forms, Boulder Opal makes excellent interior decor.

Use it to manage energy in your home. Placing it in a shared family room can fill the space with peaceful energy, establishing a healing environment everyone can enjoy.

Stone Combinations

A stone as beautiful and powerful as Boulder Opal is great on its own. However, you don’t have to use it exclusively. Healers love to combine the healing properties of Boulder Opal with other stones in the crystal kingdom.

Doing so lets you harness the power of multiple healing crystals, creating a mix of energy and healing properties that’s specific to your needs.

One of the best crystals you can pair Boulder Opal with is diamond. Diamond is, undoubtedly, a pricey pairing. But, the effects of this precious stone are undeniable.

Healers say that a Boulder Opal and diamond combination can leave you with more vivid dreams, stronger aspirations, and an unshakeable urge to chase your goals.

Other possible pairings include Ruby, Sapphire, and different types of Opal.

Ruby is a fiery stone that can ignite your sense of passion. Meanwhile, Sapphire is about finding peace and appreciation. Using them with Boulder Opal is a match made in heaven!

How To Cleanse Boulder Opal

Boulder Opal requires periodic cleansing every once in a while. If you use it regularly, many practitioners recommend cleansing once a month.

In the context of crystal healing, cleansing is about more than getting rid of physical imperfections. It’s about recharging the stone and ensuring its healing properties continue to benefit you. 

Over time, the constant exposure to negative energy takes a toll on Boulder Opal. It can get weaker and weaker until it’s nothing more than a pretty stone. Cleansing recharges it, continuing that cycle of healing.

Now, Boulder Opal is a relatively soft and delicate stone. As a result, you must exercise caution. Avoid any physical harm and steer clear of any harsh cleaning products.

The best way to cleanse it is to run it under water for a few minutes. The water will wash away the negative energy and provide a nice aesthetic sheen. You can use a mild soap and a soft microfiber cloth to buff away grime if necessary.

Limit cleansing sessions to only a few minutes, and don’t soak it overnight. While some minerals can handle soaking, Boulder Opal is porous. Too much time in the water can ruin its finish.

If you prefer a dryer cleanser method, you can use healing crystals or sage.

Sage is a popular healing herb that spiritualists use pretty frequently. Light the sage and smudge its smoke over the Boulder Opal to recharge it.

For healing crystals, self-cleansing options like Clear Quartz and Selenite work best. Lay your Boulder Opal nearby and let the crystals work their healing magic.

Zodiac Connection

Boulder Opal isn’t an official birthstone, so it doesn’t “belong” to any one zodiac. Anyone can utilize this multi-colored gemstone to find peace and happiness.

However, it’s often said that two zodiac signs share a stronger connection to Boulder Opal than others. Those born under Virgo and Scorpio typically gain most from its healing properties and meaning.

These two signs are unique and have distinct strengths and weaknesses. But both zodiacs are prone to feeling uninspired.

Scorpios are strong-willed. When things don’t go their way, they tend to abandon them and fall into patterns of aggression. Meanwhile, Virgos are “fixers” who want to help everyone. If they fail to do so, they can worry themselves into a fit.

The properties and meaning of Boulder Opal help these signs find some peace and understanding in both cases. You can’t control everything, and letting go is sometimes the only way to find happiness and continue your journey. Instead of giving up or losing motivation, Boulder Opal teaches Virgos and Scorpios to keep going no matter what.

Closing Thoughts

Boulder Opal has a meaning that’s all about moving forward and bettering yourself. No matter what life throws at you, the only thing you can do is pick yourself up and strive to do your best.

If this is something that appeals to you, the healing properties of Boulder Opal are probably worth considering. As always, if you have any questions about this stone just ask us!

About Author

Heather was first introduced to the power of crystals on a trip overseas to study meditation and manifestation practices. After experiencing the positive impact of these stones first hand, she founded Crystal Viden to share her knowledge with others.