October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline (2024)

We admit it. We adore opals. The captivating play of colors inside a single gem is magical. How does this phenomenon happen? Learn more about opals (the October Birthstone), including their meaning and symbolism. Additionally, meet the tourmaline, the alternative birthstone forOctober.

About theOpal

OpalColor

The most well-known opals are traditionally classified as black or white, but other base hues include red, purple, and orange. The presence of certain chemicals is what creates the gem’s backgroundcolor.

But the opal is more well-known for its kaleidoscope-like appearance with flashes of blue, green, orange, and red that give it its play-of-coloridentity.

Some believe that the opal name comes from India, where it was called upala in Sanskrit, meaning “precious stone.” Others theorize it began in Greek, where opallios, meaning “to see a change in color,” was used to describe its colorful appearance. In ancient Rome, it was referred to as opalus or “precious jewel.” Pliny the Elder referenced the stone’s play of colors that covered every shade of the most sought-aftergems.
For hundreds of years, due to its colorful array, opals were thought to contain the powers and positive benefits of all colored stones. Romans believed it was the most precious and powerful gem and a symbol of love, called the Cupid Stone. That has led to some believing it holds the power to promote romance and passion. It has long been a symbol of hope, purity, andtruth.
Nomadic Arab tribes believed the opal fell to Earth during thunderstorms and held lightning inside.
Ancient Greeks felt that opals would present the gift of prophecy—the ability to see into thefuture.
At one time, the opal was said to be able to create invisibility powers for those who woreit.
Some believe in the opal’s power to improve or promote the health of theeyes.

Where Does an Opal ComeFrom?

Opals are formed when water containing silica deposits seeps underground into the gaps between rock layers. As the water evaporates, a solid deposit of silica, which is a combination of silicon and oxygen, is left behind. Opals can hold up to 20% of water within their silica structure. The opal is formed from the accumulation of silicadeposits.

When opals were first mined commercially in Australia in the mid-19th century, the country quickly became the gem’s primary—and most productive—source. Lightning Ridge, a small town in New South Wales, is well-known for producing some of the finest black opals. Locations in Ethiopia (white, yellow, orange), Mexico (yellow, orange, reddish-orange), and Brazil also serve as important sources, while other deposits have been found in Central Europe, Honduras, Indonesia, and the UnitedStates.

Opal inHistory

Numerous writers, including Pliny, have compared the dramatic play of color to fireworks, galaxies, and volcanoes. However, one writer gave the opal a bad reputation for being unlucky:In Sir Walter Scott’s “Anne of Geierstein,” Anne wore a golden clasp containing an opal that changed colors when she was animated or agitated. Others did not agree with the idea that it was bad luck, believing that opals were, in fact, the luckiest—and most magical—of allgems.
The world’s most valuable opal is the Olympic Australis. It was discovered during the 1956 Summer Olympics (held in Melbourne, Australia) and once held the Guinness Record as the biggestopal.
In addition to being a birthstone for October, opals are also given for a 14th weddinganniversary.

Opal inJewelry

With a 5.5 to 6.5 Mohs Hardness rating, opals are susceptible to scratching and are more suitable for wearing on special occasions rather than every day. At the same time, the versatility and beauty of opal jewelry are worth the extra care needed to clean it and keep it safe. To prevent damage, store opal jewelry away from othergems.

To clean opals, use warm, soapy water. Other methods can damage your opal or the filler material used, especially in opal doublets and triplets—man-made stones where slices of opal are gluedtogether.

AboutTourmaline

Tourmaline’sColor

Very few gems can match tourmaline’s range of colors, which includes every shade of the rainbow—reds and pinks, emerald to neon green, deep blues, purples, and yellows. Some stones even have multiplecolors.

Tourmalines are a vast collection of boron silicate minerals that share a common crystal structure and possess comparable physical features. However, their chemical compositions vary extensively, resulting in a diverse range of colors due to the presence of distinctelements.

Some gems also have an effect called cat’s eye, which often includes green, blue, orpink.

October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline (3)

Tourmaline Meanings, Symbolism, andFolklore

The name originated from the Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) word toramalli, meaning “stone with mixedcolors.”
The tourmaline was once thought to inspire artistic expression since it had a color for everymood.
Ancient Egyptians believed the range of colors was caused by the gem’s long journey from the center of the Earth, at which time it passed over arainbow.
It has long been associated with friendship, and said that those who wore it would have long-lastingrelationships.
Black tourmaline is thought to bring about confidence; pink is associated with compassion; green is believed to promote courage andstrength.

Where Does Tourmaline ComeFrom?

The chemical makeup of a tourmaline gem influences its physical appearance and coloring. In fact, it is not one mineral but a complex group of minerals with varying chemical compositions. It most commonly occurs in voids and cracks in igneous and metamorphic rocks, forming during hydrothermalactivity.

The most prominent source of the gem is Brazil, but it is also found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, and a number of countries in Africa. In the United States, southern California and Maine have produced the gem for more than acentury.

Tourmaline inHistory

With its wide array of colors, tourmaline was often mistaken for other gems, including the Caesar’s Ruby pendant in the Russian crown jewels. It was confused with other gems for centuries until tourmaline was recognized as its own mineralspecies.
Tourmaline possesses the ability to become electrically charged through heat and pressure, where it can become a magnet by oscillating and attracting dustparticles.
In the early 1900s, China represented one of the largest tourmaline markets. However, when the Chinese government collapsed in 1912, the tourmaline trade took adownturn.
Tourmaline isgiven to celebrate an 8th weddinganniversary.

Tourmaline inJewelry

With a Mohs Hardness rating of 7.0 to 7.5, a tourmaline is an option for everyday wear in jewelry such as rings, earrings, and bracelets. Heat can damage the stones, so use lukewarm, soapy water and a soft brush to cleanthem.

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