Opal is a hydrated silica mineral, containing between 5-21% water in addition to silica & the various impurities that add color. Dendritic Opal has black dendrites running through it, which are mineral inclusions that form tree-like patterns. The majority of Dendritic Opal is a milky white color. It may display a blue tint around the edges of a nodule, & may have blue specks.
Dendritic Opal is not a precious opal. Precious opal is any opal that exhibits play-of-color. Play-of-color is the familiar flash of bright colorful light that a person sees when viewing opal. Dendritic Opal is a form of common opal. The latter is usually described as an opaque opal with no play of color.
Dendritic Opal is easily confused with Dendritic Agate as both are silica minerals, have mineral oxide inclusions & display similar qualities. Opals may even appear translucent. The biggest difference is the percentage of moisture, with Dendritic Opal having 4-10% & Agate much less. This tends to make Agate denser & heavier.
Throughout history, Dendritic Opal's spiritual meaning was tied to magic & power. In the Middle Ages, these stones were thought to hold mystical energies, permitting those who possessed one to envision the true self. Nobles would carry them as a status symbol, believing the stone could help them stay in power.
In modern spiritual circles, Dendritic Opal's dark patterns, contrasting against a white surface, symbolize the balance of opposites — similar to yin & yang. In addition, the dendritic pattern's resemblance to nature is seen as a connection to Earth, boosting intuition & self-awareness.
