Opal, a gemstone celebrated for its captivating play of color, holds the distinction of being the birthstone for May. Described as “milky” and “iridescent,” this gem has appeared in crossword puzzles as a quick clue to its association with the month of May. While the provided sources offer limited detail, they establish opal’s recognition as a birthstone and hint at its visual characteristics. This article will explore the available information regarding opal, focusing on its identification in popular culture and its basic description.
Historical Recognition and Puzzles
The primary source material centers around the gemstone’s appearance in crossword puzzles. Dan Word identifies “May’s birthstone” as a crossword clue with opal as the solution. Similarly, laxcrossword.com lists “Milky birthstone” as opal in a recent puzzle. Dazepuzzle.com directly states the answer to “Milky resource found in the outback” is opal, linking it to Australian origins. These references demonstrate opal’s established place in popular culture and its readily recognizable association with the month of May. The inclusion of opal in crossword puzzles suggests a level of general awareness regarding its status as a birthstone.
Descriptive Qualities
The sources consistently emphasize opal’s visual qualities. It is described as “milky,” suggesting a translucent or opaque appearance, and “iridescent,” highlighting its characteristic play of color. A 1980s crossword clue description notes opal as “milky and iridescent,” further cementing these attributes. While the sources do not detail the cause of this iridescence, the consistent use of the term points to it being a defining feature of the gem. The description of opal as a “resource found in the outback” specifically links it to Australia, suggesting a significant source of this gemstone lies within that region.
Crossword Context and Associated Terms
Interestingly, the provided crossword puzzle data reveals a pattern of associated terms. The puzzles frequently include words ending in "-ER" or "-ERS," and terms relating to parks ("Battery Park," "Central Park," "dog park," "ballpark," "state park"). While the connection to opal is not explicitly stated, the inclusion of these terms alongside opal within the same puzzle grids is a notable observation. The puzzles also feature clues related to sports ("lacrosse," "soccer"), entertainment ("Zootopia"), and historical events ("Oklahoma land rush"), offering a glimpse into the broader context of the puzzles in which opal appears.
Limited Gemological Information
The provided sources are notably limited in their gemological detail. There is no information regarding opal’s chemical composition, hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, or crystal structure. Nor do the sources discuss different varieties of opal (e.g., black opal, fire opal, boulder opal) or the geological processes involved in its formation. The information is confined to its color description and association with May as a birthstone.
Conclusion
The available sources confirm opal’s status as the birthstone for May and highlight its defining characteristic: a milky, iridescent appearance. Its frequent appearance in crossword puzzles demonstrates a degree of public recognition. While the sources lack detailed gemological information, they establish a basic understanding of this captivating gemstone. Further research, utilizing more comprehensive sources, would be necessary to provide a complete overview of opal’s history, geological origins, and gemological properties.