Opal is prized for its unrivalled beauty and a show of flashes of colour on its surface known as “Fire” or “Play of Colour.” Opal and Diamond are connected to the Venus (Shukra) Planet and are thought to bring love, a blissful marriage, happiness, and luxury into the lives of those who wear them. In recent years, Opal has surpassed Diamond as the most popular Diamond alternative in astrology. Pure white astrological opals with visible fire and good surface finish are ideal. Australia produces the best opal stones. In terms of quality and durability, Australian opals are significantly superior to those from Mexico and Ethiopia. Depending on quality, the price of a natural Australian opal per carat can range from a few hundred to a thousand.