Although you have not submitted the excerpt to which the question refers, the word that makes the reference quoted in the question is "opal." Opal is a gem that presents many points of color change in light and dark tones, completely random. This gem is constantly associated with the inconstancy of human feelings and was used by Shakespeare exactly to present the inconsistent nature of Orsino.
She was the first female aviater to fly ALL ALONE across the atlantic ocean... in that ruggedy thing. Thats a courageous thing to do, and especially alone
