Hair Care Tips

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

�Natures Fireworks� - A beginner�s guide to OPAL - Pt1 Myths, Legends and Folklore

by: Stuart Bazga

This 8 part series has been written for the novice opal collector or admirer who has little or no knowledge about opal.

It is hoped that by reading the information contained within, you will have a better understanding of where opal comes from, how it is mined, and the value and various types of opal available to the collector, investor, or those who just want a better understanding of these fascinating stones.

There are over 100 different types of opal being mined around the world, with each type being unique to the area it came from and no two opals alike.

I have attempted to include the most common types available to you as a buyer.

Myths, Legends and Folklore

Opal has been treasured throughout history from the early Aztecs and Romans to Queen Victoria, who loved opals so much that she gave them away as wedding presents. They have adorned the crowns of the Holy Roman Emperor, and are set in the crown jewels of France. Josephine was given an opal with brilliant red flashes called �The Burning of Troy� by Napoleon. Roman historian Pliny described the beauty of opals as the combination of the beauty of all gems.

�Natures Fireworks� and �The Queen of Gems� are some of the superlatives that have been used to describe opal. The word itself � �opal� � may have several origins and differing suggestions as to its first use: One is that it comes from a Sanskrit word �upala,� simply meaning �precious stone.� Another is that the Romans knew it by different names
� �opthalmus,� from the Greek word for �eye,� and �paederes,� meaning both �child and �favourite.� Whatever the actual name origin; opal has been a favoured, valued stone throughout a long period of history.

The Australian Aboriginals believe that they have lived in Australia since the Dreamtime, the beginning of all creation. Over time, their culture has produced a rich variety of mythologies in hundreds of different languages. To the Aborigines, opals, like other minerals, have a spiritual value because they represent something a Dreaming ancestor left behind as a sign of their presence. The aboriginal Wangkumara tribe recount a legend of how their people gained fire from opal stones, with the assistance of a Muda � a creator who switches from human form to pelican:

"Long, long ago the Wangkumara people decided to send a pelican (Muda) to explore the Northern Territory, so he could return and tell them what was there. After a time, while still in Queensland, the pelican felt ill and landed on top of a hill. While resting, the pelican observed the ground beneath him, amazed by its magnificent array of colours. Being curious he began to peck at the coloured stones with his beak. Suddenly, a spark flew out and lit dry grass nearby. The flames rose and spread across long distances, approaching a group of Wangkumara who were camped near by. The people were able to cook their meat and fish for the first time, grateful for this new gift brought by these precious stones".

Throughout history, early cultures credited opal with magical properties, believing it to possess the healing properties of all the gemstones, due to its multitude of colours.

The ancient Greeks believed the opal gave the wearer protection from disease and was a sought after gem for its gift of prophecy and foresight. Greek astrologers, mediums and soothsayers also used the stone for divination. As well as its mystical significance and psychic vision properties, opal was also thought to aid in digestion, stomach disorder, and to cure all disease associated with the eyes. It was believed that when a person was to suffer a minor illness, the stone became dull and grey; it would turn a sickly yellow when an injury or accident was about to occur.

Superstitions associated with opal continued throughout the Middle Ages, when opal was widely believed to be beneficial to eyesight, while others thought wearing opal would render the wearer invisible to the eye. It was for this reason thieves held opal in such high regard, using it as their symbol, due to this superstition. Blond haired women wore necklaces of opal to protect their hair from loosing its colour, while opal amulets were worn to attract happiness, love, good fortune and favour.

In the 19th century, opal was considered unlucky in Europe, due to the plot of a popular novel of the time written by Sir Walter Scott, while in Asia it has always been considered to bring loyalty and hope to the wearer.

This conludes part 1. in part 2, we will discover where opal is mined around the world. You will be surprised at some of the locations.

i hope you have enjoyed reading part 1 and i look forward to your company again in part 2.

Best wishes and have a great day

Stuart Bazga
Kulpunya Opals

About the author:

I started Kulpunya Opals several years ago to provide the UK and Europe with a specialist supply of opals.

We import directly from key suppliers in Australia with whom we have developed strong and long-term relationships.

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

Synthetic Hair Extensions Create Choice Hair St...

Hairstyles to make you look attractive!

Choosing The Right Shampoo For Your Hair Type

Modern Black Hair Styles - How To Choose The Ri...

Hair Salon Nightmares? Here�s How To Choose A G...

Laser Hair Removal: 5 Main Factors

Everyday Ways to Care for your Hair

Hair Replacement And Restoration Techniques

Laser Hair Removal Tips

Gorgeous Hairstyles For All Hair Types

ABC's Extreme Makeover Guest Stylist Michael O'...

Are you happy with your hairdresser and salon?

5 Quick Tips for Great Holiday Hair and Makeup

Beauty Salon- 12 Tips They Don't Want You To Know

Patent Pending Technology takes guess work out ...

Cosmetics � the practical way to BEAUTY!

Skin and Hair Care Guide for the Summers

Does Shaving Set A Fire In Your Armpits?

For the very best in cosmetics, use Mac Cosmetics.

Menopause Symptoms � Herbal Remedies

Mom�s Head To Toe List - Five Things To Do Befo...

What exactly is Jojoba oil and why is it used s...

Changing Your Thanksgiving Chair

In Memory of Carla-Helen Toth

Hair Raising Stuff

8 Things That Maketh Not The Lady

Have a Garden Theme Dream Wedding

The Pros & Cons of Beach Weddings

Caring for Your Jewelry

The Truth About Plus Size Beauty

Look Fashionable At The Beach!

7 Ways to Make Yourself Irresistable

Beauty and Raw Food

7 Tips for Beautiful Skin

Trust the beaity products and brand names you know

Swimwear that you'll feel comfortable in!

Hormone Therapy for Women with Acne

Design Your Own Beautiful Wedding Ring

34 Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From ...

The Wedding Menu Is Up To You

More Article Pages 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

10 Great Hair Care Tips
by: Darla Di Grandi-Aguilera

If you watch the tabloids, you know that even the stars have bad hair days. It just seems that when the professional stylists are out of the picture, it is inherently human to have a less than glamorous mane. But you can do your part to stay ahead of the battle by following these great tips for hair care.

1. Use a professional conditioner that is formulated for your specific hair type. While you can skimp a little on the shampoo, a good, professional conditioner is a must have. Look for products in salons that are customized for your hair type. For instance: If you have color or a perm, choose a conditioner that is for chemically processed hair. And stay away from those all-in-one shampoo and conditioner combos.

2. Choose a cut tailored to your face and body shape. The number one mistake that people make when choosing a new hairstyle is to pick a style based on popularity rather than how it will enhance their features. Always choose a new cut based on how it will enhance or detract from your facial features and build. If you have broad shoulders, choose a full-bodied cut over a close cropped head hugging doo.

3. Don�t forget your UV protectants. Just as your skin gets damaged by wind and sun, so does your hair. To combat this, look for finishing products such as mousses, gels and sprays that block UV rays.

4. Keep your appointments. Did you know that your hair will split faster than it will grow? You need to get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks, even if it�s just a micro trim. A good hairdresser makes them good because they know what to leave on the head, not take off.

5. Leave chemicals to the professionals. There is a reason why beauticians need to go to school to learn how to handle chemicals and hair processes. You can do irreparable damage with these products even if the package says that it�s way easy. And even if you don�t make your hair fall out, you could end up looking like a clown and paying a stylist big bucks to fix your mess. (Note: Most stylists charge double the rate for corrective color than they do for normal color processes)

6. Get color for interest and body. Every cut needs a little bit of color to make it truly breathtaking. No matter whether your taste is subtle or dramatic, you can add interest and volume to your tresses with a color process. Highlights, lowlights, all over color, gray coverage, you name it, it�s all good for your look.

7. Do weekly conditioning treatments. Even if your hair is extremely healthy, it is constantly on the attack from wind, sun, cold and heat. During the summer months, your hair is battered even more when it absorbs chlorine and other chemicals from your pool.

8. Get an ionic ceramic flat iron. Instead of frying your hair with a conventional metal plated flat iron. Straighten your tresses, add shine and infuse moisture with one of the a negative ionic flat irons. We personally use T3 irons for all our work.

9. Choose your styling products wisely. Avoid products that leave build-up on your hair. If you see white gunk, that means that your product is not water-soluble and may be coating your hair shaft. Build-up causes limpness, breakage and inability to curl not to mention the white flakes.

10. Did you know that if you use a towel after your shower to dry your hair you are causing split ends and adding static electricity to your hair. Don�t rub the towel back and forth over your hair, scrunch the towel around your hair like your would scrunch crackers in your soup.

While all of these tips won�t make you look like you�ve hired a personal hairdresser, they will help you look the very best that you can each and every day. When it comes to hair care, remember that you wear your hair everyday. Now isn�t it worth the time, effort and money that it takes to keep it looking spectacular?

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor