October's Birthstones: Opal and Pink Tourmaline

October's birthstone is Opal. Opal comes from the Latin word "opalus", which means precocious stone. Opals contain the full color spectrum like a rainbow with a white light broken up into may hues. It is a non-crystallized silica, a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. As the spring dried up, layers of the silica that had combined with water, were deposited into the cracks and cavities of the bedrock forming Opal. Opal is a fairly common mineral found throughout the entire earth. Most opal does not have the play of colors that people are used to seeing in jewelry, most opal is a solid white. This non-color exhibiting mineral is referred to as Common Opal. When opal exhibits a color play it is called Precious Opal. Precious Opal refracts and reflects wavelengths of light and can be found in every color of the rainbow. Fire Opal is any Red or Orange colored Opal, most specifically referring to Opal found in Mexico. Most Opal is found in Australia, but it can also be found in Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Nevada.


Designer Original 14k Gold Dolphin Opal Necklace

In the Orient, opal was called the "anchor of hope" and in Arabia it was said to have fallen from the heaves in a flash of lightning. The Roman's called Opal "Cupid Paederos", meaning a "child as beautiful as love”, and wore it a symbol of hope, purity, and love. To the Romans, Opal was valued second only to Emeralds as it was seen to embody all precious gems within itself.


Sterling Silver Nenya TM with Natural Opal

Traditionally Opal was the preferred gemstone used in engagement rings, that is until around the 19th century. A nasty, completely false rumor was started, many believed by diamond brokers, that opals were bad luck and would cause the wearer harm. This fear was heightened in 1829 when Sir Walter Scott published Anne of Gerstein. In this book the main character dies and her death is attributed to wearing Opal. During this time diamonds were being toted as the "pure" stone and the reputation stuck ever since.


Sterling Silver Scarab Ring with Natural Opal

Metaphysically, Opals are thought to bring out inner beauty of the wearer and are seen as a very powerful luck-bringing stone. Opal is seen as one of the most powerful stones. Because of its multicolor nature it is believed to hold the powers of all gemstones and all colors and is associated with all elements. Other common uses for opal are healing, soothing, de-stressing, attracting love, bringing wisdom and compassion, aiding in sleep and peaceful dreams, aiding in friendship, growth, and prosperity. Fire Opals are often used to draw money.


Sterling Silver Water Element Ring with Natural Opal

October's alternative birthstone is Pink Tourmaline. Tourmaline comes in the spectrum of all colors, but is most commonly found in green, pink and yellow. Tourmaline is a complex aluminous borosilicate mineral built of crystals with complicated aggregations of sodium, aluminum, boron, oxygen, hydrogen and silicon atoms. What determines the color of the tourmaline is the presence of other metals within the crystal structure. Pink tourmaline is caused by the presence of manganese. The highest quality of pink tourmaline is known as rubellite. Most tourmaline gemstones will change color under different types of light.


Sterling Silver Rococo Gemstone Necklace with Pink Tourmaline

Tourmaline has an unusual property than that of other gemstones. When the stone is warmed or rubbed it polarizes, that is one end becomes positively charged, and it will attracts small bit of paper, lint and ash. This happens because the gem becomes charged with static electricity. Benjamin Franklin actually used tourmaline in his studies of electricity. Exhibits of tourmaline at museums require frequent cleaning because the heat from the lights in the display cases creates a charge in the stone and then they attract dust.


Sterling Silver Celtic Hart Ring with Pink Tourmaline

The element associated in with Pink Tourmaline is Water. It is a stone that is thought to draw love and friendship to the wearer. Common metaphysical uses of Pink Tourmaline are for soothing and de-stressing, bringing wisdom and compassion to the wearer, aiding in eloquence and peaceful sleep, and helping with fertility and prosperity.


Sterling Silver Skull and Crossbones ring with Gemstone Eyes