Malachite

 

Malachite is a green mineral that has been known since ancient times. In ancient times malachite was used as an ornamental and gem stone and was used in making green paint. It has been mined in the Timna Valley in Israel for 3,000 years. Malachite is also mined in many parts of the world. Some of the largest deposits are in Russia. In the USA, it is mined in Arizona. There are also deposits in Africa, France, and Britain.
The malachite ring pictured above can be found at Metal Jewelry Shaper

Opal

The word opal is believed to have it's origin in  the Sanskrit word upala. The stone was known to various ancient civilizations. The Romans referred to it by the Latin name opalus. The Romans are believed to have bought opals from traders at the Bosporus in what is now Turkey who in turn might have imported them from India. It was considered a lucky stone in Medieval Europe because of it's multiple colors. Later in 19th Century England it fell out of favor for 50 years because of a novel by Sir Walter Scott in which one of the characters met an unhappy end while wearing an opal talisman. It's popularity was later resurrected by Queen Victoria who gave opal jewelry as gifts to her relatives. In Russia at one time it was believed to be an Evil Eye which gave the owner special powers for revenge. Nowadays opal is appreciated for it's beauty rather than for any perceived good or bad supernatural powers.
The opal bracelet pictured above can be found at http://www.beadshaper.com