Cacholong stone - description, properties and types, who suits, decorations and price

The cacholong stone is a mineral whose unusual beauty is compared with the elegance of the bride's white foam attire, the tenderness of lotus petals, or the fragility of the best varieties of porcelain. Despite the bewitching tenderness, the milky white mineral has powerful positive energy, which it generously shares with its owner.

What is this stone

Cacholong (also called semi-opal, Kalmyk agate or pearl opal) from the point of view of mineralogy is an opaque mixture of base (porcelain) opal, chalcedony and quartz.

Formed in a dry climate from silica in the thickness of sedimentary rocks, cacholong lies shallow from the surface of the earth (as a rule, in the channels of dry ancient rivers). For its formation, ordinary pressure and temperature are sufficient.

In places of occurrence, cacholong forms sinter stalactites, separate shapeless blocks (nodules), vinelike aggregates and veinlets in the rock.

Opaque agglomerates with a slight pearly sheen, reminiscent of porcelain, milk, bluish or greenish enamel.

The name "cacholong" in translation from Kalmyk means "river stone"; translated from Mongolian - "beautiful stone".

History of origin

Each ancient people who revered cacholong had their own view on the history of its occurrence:

• Egyptians were sure that the stone, which appeared from the moonlight and became a symbol of fertility and good health, opened the sacred bull Apis for them.
• Inhabitants of India semi-opal was considered to be petrified drops of milk of sacred cows that lived at ancient temples.
• ancient mongols, who associated cacholong with the snow-white petals of the lotus, believed that it was the petrified nectar of this flower.
• According to the ideas of the Slavic tribes, milky-white pebbles are nothing more than drops of milk from the cow Zimun, walking along the Milky Way, petrified when falling to Earth.

The history of the use of the stone is as follows:

• Initially, the mineral was used to make flowers, statues of gods and church attributes intended for worship and decorating temples.
• Inhabitants of ancient Rome they made dishes, jewelry, all kinds of trinkets from it, and also used it for wall cladding.
• European masters during the Middle Ages, the gem was used to create sculptures, mosaic paintings and home decor items.
• In Russia Cacholong began to be actively used for decorating throne rooms, facing squares and historical buildings, making goblets and vases only in the XNUMXth century.

The meaning of the cacholong stone

For a modern person, the main significance of pearl opal comes down to its use as an ornamental stone, from the best samples of which magnificent jewelry jewelry is obtained.

Cupronickel, silver and jewelry alloys are most often used to frame an inexpensive gem. Products in a gold frame are made to order.

Recently, the mysterious mineral, which lends itself perfectly to processing, has begun to attract the attention of specialists involved in high fashion.

In 2019, the Italian jewelry house Vhernier released a line of crocodile leather jewelry bags. One of the models in this collection has a detachable handle in cacholong and 18K white gold.

physical properties

The main substance in the chemical composition of cacholong is silica (or silicon dioxide hydrate).

Looking at a sample of stone under a microscope, you can see that it consists of many flat thin fibers pressed into one piece.

Pearl Opal is characterized by:

• Fragile porous structure.
• Conchoidal fracture.
• Glass or mother-of-pearl.
• Great moisture absorption. As a result of a long stay in water, the mineral is able to become sour to the state of chalk. A pebble that has absorbed a large amount of water will surely crack after drying.
• Different degrees of strength (medium in a dry state and low in moisture absorption).
• Hardness (according to the Mohs mineralogical scale), equal to 5,5-6,5 points.
• Lack of fire resistance and cleavage.
• Density equal to 1,9-2,3 g/m³.
• Lack of transparency.

Cacholong deposits

Cacholong is not a rare stone: its deposits are found on all continents of our planet.

High-quality semi-opals are mined in an open pit in:

• USA;
• China;
• Armenia
• India;
• Australia
• Slovakia;
• Hungary
• Tajikistan;
• Mongolia;
• Kazakhstan;
• Iceland;
• Uzbekistan;
• Russia (in Kalmykia, Stavropol Territory, Transbaikalia and Eastern Siberia).

Varieties and colors of cacholong stone

Since semi-opal is a hardened mixture of chalcedony and opal, gemologists - depending on which of these minerals predominates in the composition of the gem - distinguish between two varieties of it:

Cacholong chalcedony

An opaque stone with a pronounced porosity, painted in a milky color, which has many shades.

Among this variety of gem, there are often samples that have beautiful gray streaks. It is he who most often goes to the creation of all types of jewelry.

Cacholong opal

A softer and more delicate stone, the pure white color of which is due to the large number of micropores filled with air and creating the effect of light scattering.

Separate specimens containing impurities of manganese, calcium oxide and iron acquire darker shades with yellow, black, red, orange or brown stains.

This variety of cacholong is devoid of bright sheen. It is characterized only by a glassy muffled overflow.

The main colors of the cacholong are milky and white, but experts have calculated that these colors can have at least a hundred shades.

Semi-opals found in nature are most often:

• black;
• greenish;
• bluish;
• grayish;
• ivory;
• with a purple tint;
• honey white;
• gray;
• with brown spots;
• white, with streaks, as well as gray or black blotches.

Magical properties

The magical properties of cacholong are capable of:

• Attract "Soulmate" to a person suffering from loneliness: for this, a ring with a stone should be worn on the left hand.
• redeem its owner from aggressiveness and unreasonable anxiety.
• aggravate intuition and ensure cash flow.
• fence married couples from mutual betrayal (in this case, it is recommended to wear a gem ring on the right hand).
• promote the emergence of useful acquaintances: to achieve this goal, the stone must be kept with you at all times.
• endow politicians, teachers, doctors and lawyers with justice, wisdom and the ability to understand and respect other people.

A gem will be able to fully reveal its magical properties only if it suits its owner according to the sign of the zodiac.

The position of the mineral is recommended to be changed regularly: bracelets and rings should be worn alternately on different hands, periodically refusing to wear beads and earrings.

People involved in magical practices claim that in winter and autumn, the power of the gem increases markedly.

Sudden yellowing of the white cacholong may occur due to a negative effect on its owner.

The affected pebble should be cleaned immediately. If the restoration of color after this did not happen, the decoration that absorbed the evil must be disposed of.

The healing properties of cacholong

The healing properties of cacholong are widely used in lithotherapy. It is used for:

• Treatment of women's problems. To get rid of infertility, a ring with a mineral should be constantly worn on the ring finger of the right hand. The help of the cacholong is also useful for healthy women who are planning a pregnancy or are already carrying a child. If you often apply a stone to the stomach in the area of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe uterus, the process of conception, pregnancy and childbirth will pass without complications.
• Enhancement of lactation and keeping the baby calm while breastfeeding. For this purpose, beads, a pendant or a pendant with semi-opal will cope.
• Increasing male fertility. A gem ring worn on the right hand improves a man's ability to conceive; on the left - enhances potency.
• Relief of gastrointestinal pain. In this case, a pendant or long beads will help. A good effect is provided by water infused with a pure white (without any shades) gem, crushed into powder. The same infusion is recommended for patients suffering from diseases of the eyes and endocrine glands.
• Treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Earrings with a greenish tint stone help to reduce intraocular pressure.
• To speed up the recovery of the patient (during sleep, it is recommended to put a pebble near his head).
• Body recovery after physical exertion or a hard day at work. Contemplation of a stone promotes an influx of strength, normalization of pressure and muscle tone.
• Normalization of the state of the nervous system. The white cacholong is able to extinguish excitement and outbursts of spontaneous anger, to bring the patient out of depression, placing harmony and tranquility in his soul.
• Relief of the condition of hypertensive patients, as well as patients complaining of a strong heartbeat or arrhythmia.
• Treatment of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. To facilitate the patient's breathing, it is enough to attach a cacholong to his throat.

Pearl opal is endowed with the ability to enhance the healing properties of other stones.

A set consisting of rhodonite, cacholong, lapis lazuli and malachite will help you effectively deal with cough, SARS and sinusitis.

Who is suitable for the sign of the zodiac

According to astrologers, it is recommended to have a cacholong:

• Taurus. For them, he can become a talisman that can improve the financial situation and ensure good luck in all endeavors.
• Pisces. The influence of the gem will help enhance their healing abilities, thanks to which people of this sign will not only be able to diagnose other people's ailments, but also gain an intuitive understanding of how to treat them, but they should use this gift only for the benefit of patients.
• Sagittarius. They can use the stone as a talisman that can protect them from all sorts of hardships and dangers.
• Cancers. Very vulnerable and tender inside, representatives of this zodiac sign seem unsociable and callous to those around them. Often this is the cause of serious conflicts. Under the influence of pearl opal, Cancers will acquire the ability to adequately express their feelings.
• Lions. Cacholong will bring them good luck and material well-being.
• Capricorn. By strengthening the best qualities of the representatives of this sign, the gem will help them achieve their goals faster.
• Devam. Cacholong will bring success, health and financial independence to them. Relations with children will develop harmoniously.
• Gemini. A talisman with a pearl opal will make them purposeful, courageous, decisive, self-confident.
• Libra. With the help of the cacholong, they will learn to quickly make the right decisions, be able to save a large amount of money and create a strong family (including inveterate bachelors).
• Aquarius. For them, the gem will become a powerful amulet that protects against negative energy emanating from sorcerers and envious people.

The help of cacholong should be abandoned:

• Scorpions, since the influence of the gem can complicate their already difficult nature.
• Aries. Possession of a semi-opal can enhance their inherent negative traits (first of all, aggressiveness), because of which their relationships with others often do not add up.

Talismans and charms

• pearl opal, symbolizing motherhood and considered a female stone, is recommended to be used as a talisman or amulet for pregnant women, nursing mothers, teachers, pediatricians and educators. However, men can also count on the help of the gem: pacifists, priests and rescuers.
• Amulet Possession from cacholong can sharpen the intuition of its owner or develop his psychic abilities.
• Cacholong, carrying a powerful charge of positive energy, unsuitable for rituals of black magic. Any attempt to use it to induce damage or cause any evil can turn into a whole flurry of failures that falls on the head of the customer or the performer of the ritual. That is why it is recommended to use it as a talisman that can protect the owner from dark energy and any external negativity.
• For ordinary people a semi-opal talisman can become a real money magnet. For investors, a gold ring with a cacholong will ensure the successful completion of risky operations related to investing capital.
• Amulets and Talismans from pearl opal they can look like raw stones, jewelry, figurines of deities or birds and animals symbolizing them. The energy of the talismans, reaching its peak by the time the first frost sets in, lasts until the end of February.
• Amulets with semi-opal should be kept close to you: on the body or in front of the eyes. Figures are recommended to be picked up as often as possible.
• Women who want to attract love, the constant wearing of a bracelet, pendant in the form of a heart or a ring will help (it should be worn on the left hand). It is desirable to place paired figurines of pigeons or swans in the house.
• Stork figurine, carved from cacholong, will speed up the birth of children.
• Calf figurine, placed at the entrance to the house, will protect it from the penetration of evil forces and ensure the material well-being of all its inhabitants.

Cacholong jewelry

From the best specimens of cacholong, jewelers make inserts for rings, hairpins, brooches, earrings and rings. The mineral is used to make rosaries, key chains, pendants, bracelets and beads.

The best metal for framing cacholong is silver: it not only favorably emphasizes the beauty of the mineral, but also enhances its magical and healing properties.

Wearing products with pearl opal must be in compliance with the following rules:

• New decoration it is recommended to wear for the first time only after four days from the moment of its acquisition, since the mineral must get used to the new owner.
• Bracelets, rings and rings should be alternately worn on both hands.
• Beads and pendants It is allowed to wear at any time of the year, but only in dry weather.
• best day for the demonstration of jewelry with semi-opal is Friday, because by this moment its energy is intensifying.
• Ware with cacholong need periodic rest (lasting at least 3-4 weeks).
• The perfect complement The bride's attire is a set consisting of earrings and a necklace.
• Decoration with a cacholong they will make an outfit made of light light fabrics more airy, and dark clothes designed in a classic style will make them more elegant.
• Ware it is not recommended to combine with semi-opal with sportswear: it looks ridiculous.

Other uses of stone

Cacholong is an ornamental stone that lends itself well to cutting and polishing, therefore, in addition to jewelry, dishes, carved tiles, sculptures and figurines, caskets, panels, details of expensive interior decor are made from it.

The healing properties of the mineral are widely used by lithotherapists, healers, doctors of alternative medicine and bioenergetics.

The magical properties of semi-opal help people involved in astrology and esotericism.

Cacholong stone price

Cacholong is one of the inexpensive minerals, so the frame for it is made of silver, nickel silver and silver-plated cupronickel.

Price of jewelry with semi-opal:

• Silver ring - 32-40 euros.
• Pendant - 25-30 euros.
• Earrings (silver plated cupronickel) - 12-15 euros.
• Set (earrings and ring) in silver - 50-55 euros.
• Elastic bracelet - 8-10 euros.
• Beads (47 cm) - 10-15 euros. 
• Necklace - 17-25 euros. 
• Brooch - 30-35 euros. 

Stone care

The owner of a fragile mineral must: 

• To protect it from falls from a height and strong blows. 
• To not allow its contact with perfumery, decorative cosmetics and household chemicals. Before doing housework (associated with washing floors, washing and cooking), products with a gem should be removed. 
• Take off jewelry with semi-opal before taking water procedures, visiting the beach, sauna and swimming pool, since the stone, which has a porous structure, will absorb water and may crack when dried. 
• Periodically wipe gem with a woolen patch moistened with a few drops of refined olive oil. In the presence of contamination, it is allowed to dip the product in a warm soapy solution, rinse quickly with running water and wipe dry. The yellowed cacholong is placed in a container with distilled water for one hour, and then allowed to dry at room temperature. Ultrasonic cleaning is contraindicated for this stone. 
• Keep jewelry with pearl opal in a separate box, standing in a dry room with a constant air temperature. Cacholong figurines should be kept away from heating radiators and windows. 

How to distinguish from fakes

Natural cacholong, which has a uniform white surface that is easy to imitate, is sometimes faked, passing off products made of artificial stone, glass, howlite, marble and plastic as it. 

In order not to become the owner of a fake, experts recommend: 

• Evaluate the appearance of the acquired gem. Its surface should resemble porcelain. Bringing the stone to the lamp, you need to look at it from different angles. The radiance of a natural gem that casts glare will change in this case. The brilliance of fakes made of glass or plastic will be uniform. 
• Pay attention to the drawing. Each natural gem is unique and never repeats. It's almost impossible to fake it. 
• Lick a gem. The natural mineral, which has a pronounced hygroscopicity, will immediately stick to the tongue, and the "researcher" will feel a slight tingling and a taste of chalk. 
• Buy jewelry only in stores with a good reputation. 

You can verify the authenticity of a cacholong by contacting a gemologist or an expert jeweler: they will do this with the help of special equipment. 

What stones are combined with

The compatibility of cacholong with other stones can be considered almost perfect: 

In the energy plan, quartz, chalcedony and opal are most suitable for him. The healing properties of the semi-fallen perfectly complement lapis lazuli, malachite and rhodonite. When creating necklaces, bracelets and beads, it is most often combined with different types of quartz (smoky, pink and hairy), malachite, turquoise, amazonite and jasper.

Fake diamond

Artificial pebbles - compared to natural gems - look almost flawless. 

As a result, some jewelry with them (especially bracelets consisting of large elements) looks more attractive than products made from natural semi-opals. 

Interesting Facts

• In the East, the cacholong was kept in bed for a month by young spouses, placing it under the wife's pillow. It was believed that the gem would make their family unusually strong, and children would be born healthy and strong. 
• In ancient times, pearl opal, ground into powder, was used to treat frigidity in women and sexual impotence in men.