The hues of the opal, the light of the diamond, are not to be seen if the eye is too near. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

As though pure white snow flashed and sparkled with the color of bright ruddy wine, and was overcome by this radiance. – Author unknown, about opal

Now the melancholy God protect thee, and the tailor make thy garments of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is opal. – William Shakespeare, The Twelfth Night

A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a witty person, but a pebble in the hands of a fool. – Author Unknown