Opal:  October's Birthstone

Opal is the birthstone for October and the gemstone given to commemorate a 14th wedding anniversary.  It is not surprising to find out that the word opal comes the Greek words "opallus" which means to see a change in colour.  Of course, opal has the ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light that make it so special.

• October Birthstone: Opal
• Birthstone Properties: Enhances insight and dispels fear
• Alternative Birthstone: Tourmaline

Opal is a non-crystallized silica, a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. Romans called the magnificent gemstone "Cupid Paederos," meaning a child as beautiful as love. They believed that opals fell to earth from the heavens in a flash of lightening.

However they arrived in on Earth originally, today opals must be mined from deposits found primarily in Southern Australia, although other sources exist in Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, and Nevada.

Crown Jewels Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. During the Middle Ages, fair-haired young women put sapphires in their tresses to protect the lovely blond colour of their hair. Physicians ground opals into a powder that was ingested to ward off nightmares.

Since the 14th century, many cultures have considered this stone to be an Eye Stone, a stone that watches over royal families as well as a stone that strengthens the eyesight. They believed it to be the "king of gems" because an opal holds within its fire all the colours of the rainbow…and all other gems, as well. And like many birthstones, opals were treasured by ancient monarchs for their appearance AND their powers.

Opals were routinely set into the crowns and necklaces of rulers who believed the protective powers of the gemstones would ward off evil. Writers of the period believed the opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose.

The Russians had the complete opposite belief in opals, viewing them as nothing but bad luck..

Always the Right Gift

A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the wide range of choices in opal make them a perfect gift for anyone:

• Black Opal - the stone has a dark body tone in comparison to a white opal.
• White Opal - also known as 'milky opal', featuring light white body tones
• Boulder Opal - very dark and beautiful in colour
• Crystal Opal - any opal with a transparent or semi-transparent body tone. Forms of crystal opal include black crystal and white crystal.
• Fire Opal - an American term meaning any opal that displays a significant amount of red colouring. Mexican fire opal is a different kind of opal, which displays orange colouring)

Next:  Citrine - November's Birthstone  

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