TidbitsMOV Issue #1237 Opals

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February 20, 2024

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Issue # 1237

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OPALS

by Janet Spencer Your Full Service Jewelry Store • Inventory • Service • Value

It‟s said that people in ancient Greece thought opals were formed from the tears of joy shed

by Zeus. In reality, opal is formed in subterranean crevices in rock due to the coming and going of silica-laden water over millions of years. Come along with Tidbits as we ogle opals!

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• The word “opal” dates back to around 250 BC, starting with the Sanskrit “upala” which became the Latin “opalus” meaning “precious stone” then morphed into the Greek “opalliois” meaning “changing color.”

• Silicon is the second most common element in the crust of the Earth. When it combines with oxygen, it forms silica, the major component of sand. When water trickles through silica, some of the silicon dissolves.

• When silicon-rich water becomes trapped in cracks and fissures in underground rock, the water eventually evaporates, leaving the silicon behind. The silicon forms into gellike balls that harden into microscopic spheres over time.

• When this process is repeated through the eons, with sporadic rainfall, or the rise and fall of the water table, or the coming and going of ponds, seas, and streams, layer upon layer of silicon spheres collect in the same crevice, forming opal over the course of thousands or millions of years. (cont)

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OPAL FACTS (cont) • Sometimes the spheres are piled up in neat and orderly stacks, and other times they end up in random disorderly heaps. Think in terms of marbles side-by-side on cookie sheets stacked one on top of another verses marbles loose on the floor. There is water in between the spheres.

• When light hits an opal with a regular densely-packed lattice of spheres, the light bounces off the curves of the spheres and illuminates the gem in what is called the “play of light” or “the play of color.” These are called precious opals. When light hits an opal with sloppy disorganized piles of spheres, there is no refraction and no play of light. These lackluster stones are called common opals and display only a hazymilky sheen or an opaque translucence.

Opal miners refer to these rough and worthless gems as “potch.”

• Different colors are refracted depending on the size of the spheres. Silicon balls 0.2 microns wide refract blue and violet light; silicon balls 0.25 microns wide refract green light; and silicon balls 0.32 microns wide refract red light. This process of white light diffracting into all the colors of the spectrum is called “opalescence.” Every opal is entirely unique because of its own individual collection of silicon spheres.

• Opal isn‟t technically a mineral because it„s amorphous, lacking a definite crystalline structure. Instead, it‟s classified as a “mineraloid” along with amber, pearls, and obsidian.

• Because opals can form in the smallest subterranean crevices where water seeps into, there have been instances where opal formed inside bone, teeth, seashells, leaves, snails, and wood, filling the tiniest cavities with opal. Petrified wood has the identical chemical make-up as opal. (cont)

In this issue of TidbitsMOV our girl Tammy Tidbits is hiding.

When you find her, to enter the weekly contest, please send us a message including name, mailing address and email, the issue number you are referring to and which ad is hosting Tammy for the week! Visit www.tidbitsmov.com or send the answer with the above information to alan@tidbitsmov.com OR you may send us a private message to our Facebook page - Tidbits MOV. PLEASE do not post the answer directly to the page - that ruins the fun for everyone. All winners will be drawn randomly from correct responses and will be posted weekly. As with all our contests, though you are welcome to play every week, you are only eligible for one winner per household per month.

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OPAL FACTS (cont)

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• The background of opals, also called the body color, is most commonly white, grey, or green, though it can be all colors of the OPAL FACTS (cont) rainbow. The rarest background color is black, which sets off the play of colors in a Australian opal miners have uncovered opal spectacular fashion. There is only a single -laced dinosaur fossils, the only place in the place in Australia where black-backed opals world where such phenomena have been have been found. Black opals are rarer than found. diamonds and almost as valuable.

One such example is called “The Virgin Rainbow” and it‟s one of the world‟s rarest • The first clue that there are opals on Mars came with the discovery of a meteorite and most expensive opals. It consists of the which originated from Mars that fell in 1911 fossilized shell of an ancient ancestor of the in Egypt. The traces of opal found in the cuttlefish, in which opal has taken the place rock suggested that there was once water on of the cartilage. It has an estimated worth of the planet for a long enough time to form over $1 million and is now owned by the opal. Photos of Mars taken in 2008 by Southern Australia Museum in Adelaide.

NASA‟s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Another example is the opalized, fossilized showed images of materials that scientists skeleton of “Eric the Pliosaur.” Pliosaurs concluded were likely opal. In 2018, the Cuwere large and ferocious marine predators riosity rover found traces of opal on the surduring the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. face of the planet.

These formidable reptiles grew up to 40 feet (12 m) long. Eric is a 7-foot (2 m) specimen • Ethiopia is another place where opals have been found in great numbers. However, discovered in 1987 in Australia, in which there‟s a basic difference between Australinot only are parts of the bones made of opal, an opals and Ethiopian opals. Ethiopian but also the contents of the stomach containopals are far more porous, able to absorb ing the animal‟s last meal are as well. water, chemicals, and even the oils on the Archeological evidence shows that humans skin, making them fragile. Australian opals were mining opal in Nevada 10,000 years are far less porous and much sturdier. ago, and in Kenya around 6,000 years ago.

But the first historically recorded discovery • The popularity of opals soared when Queen Victoria began wearing them on a regular of opals was in the 4th century B.C. in the basis. area now called Slovakia. Slovakia was the main source of opals until they were discov- • If you wear opals, be aware that they are not as ered in Australia in the late 1800s. resistant to damage as other harder gems.

Avoid exposing them to extreme heat, ultrasonThe town of Coober Pedy in South Australia (population ~2,500) is known as the “opal ic cleaners, and harsh chemicals. Don‟t wear capital of the world.” The town‟s name them during heavy physical activity to avoid springs from an Aboriginal term “kupa-piti” cracking. Jewelers recommend storing them in meaning “white fellas‟ hole” referring to the a soft cloth bag to protect from scratches, and fact that many of the town‟s homes are cave some advocate keeping them sealed inside a -like abodes dug into the side of cliffs and plastic baggie to preserve their moisture. embankments to protect them from the

scorching heat of the Australian desert.

• The opal fields of Australia are bigger than the opal fields of the rest of the world combined. Opals are Australia‟s national gemstone. (cont)

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The biggest opal was found in southern Australia. Dubbed "Olympic Australis" this astonishing gem weighs in at over 17,000 carats (over 7 pounds/ 3.1 kg.) and is 11 inches (28 cm) long. SDue to its amazing purity it was nver cit down into jewelry but remains intact and uncut.

Savor the Spice: A Culinary Journey With Red Lentil Dal

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Add the rest of the water or stock, the lentils and any optional vegetables, if using, and stir.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a bare simmer, cooking covered for 30 minutes. Stir this occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. After 30 minutes, add the diced tomatoes and salt, stir and heat through. Serve with rice, garnished with cilantro. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for up to four months.

So, whether you spell it "dal," "dahl," "daal" or "dhal," one thing's for sure: This dish is a testament to the incredible versatility and flavor of lentils. Join the millions of dal enthusiasts around the world and treat yourself to a bowl of this savory delight. ***

EASY RED LENTIL DAL Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with Yield: 4 servings a culinary adventure? While we might not be Total Time: 45 jetting off to distant lands anytime soon, we can 1 tablespoon olive oil certainly embark on a delicious journey right 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped from our own kitchens. So, let's fasten our 4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced apron strings and take a flavorful trip to India 1 heaping tablespoon fresh ginger, minced with a classic dish: Red Lentil Dal. 1 tablespoon curry powder Dal (also spelled "dahl," "daal" or "dhal," but I'm 1 teaspoon ground cumin sticking with "dal") is the Indian name for dried, 3 cups water or vegetable stock split pulses (like lentils, peas and beans) that 1 1/2 cups red lentils don't require pre-soaking.

1/2 teaspoon salt Dal, in its various forms, is a global nutritional Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, unrecipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A powerhouse, transcending cultural boundaries Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at drained and culinary preferences. Whether it's the comwww.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at Cilantro and cooked rice, to serve forting Indian dal, hearty Middle Eastern mujaDivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com Optional add ins: (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. dara or savory Ethiopian misir wat, these dish1 teaspoon jalapeno pepper, minced, or to es showcase lentils' versatility across diverse taste cuisines. Embraced by vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike, dal stands as a testa- 1 (10 ounce) box frozen spinach, thawed and drained ment to the universal appeal of plant-based No matter how you spell it, this classic 2 cups cauliflower, chopped foods, addressing food security challenges and Indian dish is delicious and nutritious.

1 cup carrot, diced promoting healthier diets globally.

PHOTO CREDIT: Here's how to make something as simple as a In a medium-size pot over medium heat, heat www.JasonCoblentz.com the oil. Add the onion, and cook until soft, cupful of lentils, some spices and aromatics into a hearty stew that's both delicious and nu- about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger tritious. The stew is earthy and satisfying; the and a bit of extra oil, if needed. Cook for 1 micurry, garlic and ginger flavors are warm and nute, stirring occasionally. Add curry and cumin, stirring to coat the onions with spices, and soothing. This is comfort food at its finest.

A few thoughts: If you can't find red lentils, feel cook for 1-2 minutes, until everything is spectacularly fragrant. Isn't that wonderful? Add free to use any color of lentils you may have. If you don't often cook with fresh ginger, I urge around 1 cup of water or stock, using a spatula you to try it. You just need a little knob, enough to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pan.

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THE WORST WINTER • In the winter of 1886-87, western artist Charlie Russell was working for the O-H Ranch near Utica, Montana. When the ranch foreman needed to write to Helena to inform the owners of the ranch that all 5,000 head of the stock had died because of the harsh winter, Charlie painted a postcard depicting a starving cow beleaguered by coyotes. The drawing, entitled, “Last of the 5000” became one of his most famous paintings.

• This terrible winter was responsible for ushering in the modern methods of cattle ranching. Previously, cattle had been left to wander on the Montana prairie, forced to find their own forage. No one brought in bales of hay. At most, there might be a trough of water provided. That changed after this disastrous winter. Here is what happened: • May: A very hot, dry month yields only a half inch of rain, and many days over 90° and 100°F (32° to 38°C) are reported. The calf crop in Montana is unusually large this spring.

• June: Only 3/4 inch (2 cm) of rain falls this month, normally Montana's wettest month.

• July: On only 8 days does the day's high fall below 90°F (32° C) at Fort Custer. Nearby, Fort Assiniboine (“a-SIN-a-boyn”), named for a local tribe, reports 108°F (42°C). Prairie grasses die everywhere.

• Despite the drought, cattle are shipped into Montana as fast as possible, until there are more than a million head on Montana's ranges. Montana is still two years away from being declared a state. The human population of Montana Territory is about 132,000.

• August: Creeks that have never gone dry are now dry. Steamboats are unable to make it up the Missouri River to bring in supplies due to low water levels. Numerous prairie fires burn across the state, further reducing the amount of vegetation. Fort Custer reports 105°F (40.6°C) twice this month.

(Continued page #7)

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When Dog Walking Is a Tug of War DEAR PAW'S CORNER: My dog Trey is a 3-yearold mixed breed, mostly Lab, who pulls at his leash every time we go out for a walk. I don't want to use a choke collar, because it seems painful and counterproductive to punish him every time he tries to pull ahead.

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THE WORST WINTER (cont)

O C T OB E R

• September.: The Great Falls Tribune reports only 2 inches (5 cm) of moisture in the past year, when 15 inches (38 cm) is normal.

• October: A Great Falls Tribune article predicts a mild winter.

• November: The first storm hits with 6 inches (15 cm) of snow, strong winds, and big drifts.

A few days of drizzle after the storm turns the snow to slush. The temperature then plunges to below zero (-18°C), turning the slush into a crust that cattle are unable to break through to find forage.

• December: A storm begins on Christmas Eve and takes temperatures down to -37°F (-38° C) at Fort Assiniboine. The Missouri River freezes solid at Fort Benton by Dec. 27.

• January, 1887: Another storm commences on New Year's Day. Fort Benton reports that 32 inches (81 cm) of snow fell between Dec. 1 and Jan. 20. Fort Keough reports a low temperature of -60°F (-45.5°C).

• February: A storm begins on January 29 and continues through February 4. Temperatures of -40° to -50°F (-40 to -55°C) are reported statewide, with wind chill factors dropping as low as -95°F (-70°C). The Great Falls Tribune reports that only the rich can afford coal oil. Fence posts are torn down for fuel, as is the old Fort Benton jailhouse. Great Falls runs out of potatoes, and wood sells for $20/ cord ($641 in today‟s dollars). Another storm hits on February 15. Fort Assiniboine's average temperature for the first 10 days of the month is -20°F (-29°C). On February 27, the long awaited warm spell arrives. All the snow melts in 46°F (8°C) heat and causes massive flooding on the Missouri River.

• March: 60% of Montana cattle are dead, including 90% of the cattle that had been shipped in the previous summer. Many ranchers are bankrupt. The age of modern feeding methods begins.

Page 8

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