October:
Opal
Many people are unaware that Opal, one of October's birthstones,
is Australia's national gemstone. Australia not only mines
95 per cent of the world's precious black and white opal
but offers opals of many varieties used in jewelry, including
milky opal, jelly opal, boulder opal, crystal opal and some
fire opal.
Opals have been used for everything from easing childbirth
to bringing strength in battle. Long known as the Wish Stone,
opal is supposed to promote love and romance and grant wishes
and personal happiness.
There was a time, in nineteenth century Britain, when opal
was considered bad luck for anyone not born in October.
This was largely because Sir Walter Scott, portrayed opal
as bringing bad luck and death to one of his fictional heroines,
Anne of Girstein. However, Queen Victoria, who adored opals,
helped to dispel this notion by giving opals to all of her
daughters, whether born in October or not. Thus, opal gained
a wider popularity than ever, especially when the brighter
gem and black opals from Australia became available.
The most common and affordable variety is milky or white
opal because it shows a play of color against a white opaque
background. Color patches or tiny flashes called 'pinfire'
are usually light and bright pinks and greens.
Jelly opals and crystal opals are transparent to translucent,
with a subtle sheen of color dancing through the gem, rather
than color patches.
The most valuable opals, known as black or gem opals, feature
large, luminescent areas of one or more bright colors against
a dark background. Opals are rarely treated to enhance their
color, however they can be quite delicate and should not
be exposed to steam cleaning or excess acids. The best cleaning
method is with a soft damp or dry cloth.
Opal has a long history, dating back to the pre-Roman times,
milky opals with patches of pastel red, blue and green were
mined in what is now Hungary. The more familiar black opal
or gem opal, with brilliant flashes of red, blue, green
and gold, was not discovered until the late 19th century
in Australia. Today opals are also mined in Mexico, Brazil,
United States and Canada.
People born in October have tourmaline as another option
for their birthstone. Like opal, tourmaline comes in a wide
range of colors and sizes, ranging from dainty to huge,
at virtually every price level. Also like opal, tourmaline
is said to bring high energy, good luck, creativity and
romance, depending on its color.
October babies are not the only ones who can enjoy the
versatility and variety of opal and tourmaline rainbows
available. Both gems are lovely to wear and easy to acquire.
Styles
