Opal and tourmaline are two magnificent birthstones that are used to mark the birthdays of those born in October. Both birthstones for October feature stunning hue and countless color combinations. Discover the ideal present for folks born in the tenth month by learning more about these two birthstones for October.
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Why do October have two birthstones?
Opal is revered as having mystical qualities in many cultures. The ancient Greeks believed that opals imparted the gift of prophecy and protection from disease, while the Bedouin (nomadic people who lived in the desert areas of North Africa) thought that opals held lightning and fell from the sky during thunderstorms. Opal has long been considered by Europeans to be a sign of optimism, purity, and truth as well as the embodiment of all the virtues and powers ascribed to colored stones due to its ability to change color.
Even the wearing of opals by anyone other than those who were born in October is seen to be unfortunate. It wasn’t inspired by anything spiritual, but rather by Sir Walter Scott’s 1892 book Anne of Geierstein (aka The Maiden of the Mist). Opals were regarded as historically lucky before then.
It’s critical to understand the type of opal you are caring for while deciding how to care for it. Incredibly porous Ethiopian opals, for instance, are prone to “taking on” moisture. As a result, a qualified jeweler should take care of this particular opal’s maintenance. Other opals are composites, which are made up of many materials. You also need to be very cautious when cleaning those opals, also known as doublets and triplets.
The hardness of opal ranges from 5-6.5 on the Mohs scale. Opal should be stored alone to prevent damage from jewelry with tougher gems. Certain opal settings, such as doublets or triplets, which are tiny opal slices glued to a base material and covered in a thin coating of pure quartz, can become brittle when exposed to water for an extended period of time. When exposed to abrupt temperature fluctuations, particularly extreme heat, natural opal can fracture.
It is possible to treat this October birthstone using oil, wax, or plastic impregnation, although we do not advise it. We at Shmukler Design, a bespoke jeweler in Southern California, think that washing your opal jewelry by hand in warm, soapy water is the safest method.
Tourmaline is a more recent addition to the birthstone pair for October. Because tourmalines can have several hues in a single crystal, the name “tourmaline” is derived from the Sinhalese word “toramalli,” which means “stone with mixed colors.” As a result, some believe it to be a “chameleon” gem that frequently passes for other gemstones. There were quite a few confusions prior to the 1800s when tourmaline was identified as a unique species of mineral. A Spanish conquistador mistakenly believed green tourmaline crystals he discovered in Brazil during the 1500s to be emeralds.
Tourmaline is still most frequently found in Brazil, but it is also mined in other countries as well, including Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Madagascar, and even here here in the United States, specifically in California and Maine. While California’s tourmaline deposits were located in the early 1900s in San Diego County, Main’s were first identified in 1822 in southern Main at Mount Mica (in the town of Paris).
The deep, vibrant colors of tourmaline are a result of copper deposit accumulation. In actuality, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the first electrifying green, blue, and violet tourmalines were found.
Due of the numerous color changes in tourmaline, many ancient societies thought it might stimulate creative expression. According to popular belief, tourmaline comes in a variety of colors.
- Black is said to give its user protection and self-assurance.
- Green is said to encourage fortitude, bravery, and strength.
- Pink is thought to represent kindness and affection.
The customary present for the eighth wedding anniversary is tourmaline. In addition, pink tourmaline is one of the more well-liked colors to give as a gift because of its romantic qualities.
Tourmaline ranges from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it slightly harder than opal. It is resilient for daily use and resistant to heat, light, and the majority of chemicals. We think that using a soft brush and warm, soapy water to clean tourmaline is the best method. We advise against using steam and ultrasonic cleaners on tourmaline.
What was October’s traditional birthstone originally?
Opal or tourmaline, depending on your source, is the birthstone for October. The most popular birthstone for October is opal. They are incredibly diverse rocks, changing in appearance according to the process of formation. Some jewelry uses precious opals, noted for their eye-catching iridescent colors. However, even the less spectacular common opals have a subtle beauty that makes specimen collections popular.
Opals are not considered minerals in the traditional sense, unlike the majority of other gemstones. They have an intricate lattice structure made up of many microscopic silica spheres. Because light interferes with the internal architecture of these jewels, which are renowned for their “dance of colors,” rainbow hues appear when they are moved.
In fissures and crevices in volcanic rocks that are close to the surface, opals form. Percolating groundwater dissolves silica in sedimentary volcanic ash rock, which finally crystallizes to produce the opal. Rarely does it replace fossilized wood, bones, or shells whose original material has disintegrated away.
Characteristics of opals
Opals are soft stones that can easily have their appearance changed by variations in pressure and heat. The gemstone’s appearance depends on the water content in the rock. An opal shrinks somewhat as water evaporates out of it, and the stress of the evaporation causes fissures in the stone.
Opals’ distinctive colors are caused by impurities within the rock. Tiny gas bubble inclusions are indicated by milky or pearly opals. Iron oxides are indicated by yellows and reds. Magnesium oxides and organic carbon within the stone give the magnificent black opals their color, which can occasionally show flashes of green, blue, and red. The harlequin design, which has sizable angular patches of red, yellow, and green that resemble the checks on a clown’s outfit, is possibly the most expensive opal pattern.
Australia is where most of the world’s opals are mined. It is famous for its stunning black opals in particular. Another newer supplier of opals is Ethiopia. On a lesser scale, northern Nevada is home to a large variety of opals, some of which are in the form of fossilized wood. Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Turkey, and the Czech Republic are additional commercial opal producers.
Opal lore
The Sanskrit term for opal is the source of the name “opalus, from the Latin word upala, means “precious stone.”
The fascinating iridescence of the opal was described by the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder in his book, “Precious Stones’ Natural History.
The hardest to describe of all valuable stones is opal, which exhibits at once the piercing fire of carbunculus, the purple brilliance of amethystos, and the sea-green of smaragdus, all mingled together and refulgent with an extraordinary brightness.
The history of the opal is based on an Indian myth. Adapted from Willard Heaps’ book Gemstones:
The gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva once competed over a lovely woman out of jealous love. The Eternal became enraged by this and transformed the fair mortal into a mist creature. The three gods then gave her their respective colors so that they could each distinguish her. She was endowed by Brahma with the dazzling blue of the skies, by Vishnu with the grandeur of gold, and by Shiva with his blazing red. However, it was all in vain because the exquisite phantom was carried off by the winds. Finally, the Eternal felt sorry for her and changed her into an opal, a stone that glistens in every hue of the rainbow.
Heaps also noted that opals had symbolic significance in earlier cultures. Opals were dubbed the Cupid stone by the Romans. The anchor of hope, as the Asians called it. Arabs thought that people descended from the sky. Opals were originally the talisman of thieves and spies in Poland because it was believed that wearing one would render the wearer invisible.
October birthstone: evil superstitions
An opal’s color intensity was thought to shift during the medieval era, signaling whether the wearer was healthy or ill. According to legend, the opal kept a robust heart, avoided fainting, guarded against infection, and purified odorous air. The stone continued to stand for optimism just as it has in the past.
But by the middle of the 14th century, the opal’s reputation had shifted. The Black Death raced through Europe, wiping out one-fourth of its people. The gem was thought to be the fatal factor. When worn by a victim of the fatal plague, it was bright only while the wearer was still alive. Then it would seem different and lose its brilliance. It was actually this stone’s sensitivity to temperature fluctuations that caused it to appear different as the heat of a raging fever gave way to the chill of death.
People in Elizabethan England prized opals for their beauty. It was referred to as the “queen of diamonds” by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night. Opals gained popularity because Queen Victoria cherished them and gave them to her children. However, the stone’s reputation remained tainted, largely as a result of Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 book Anne of Geierstein, which portrayed it as a stone of evil.
Opals have always played a role in Australian Aboriginal cultures. In one tale from the Dreamtime, a pelican was sleeping amid a spectacular display of hues. A spark that was released when he picked at the colored stones set the dry grass on fire. His people were able to prepare fish and meat for the first time as the fire spread to them.
Tourmaline, an alternate October birthstone
Tourmaline, which displays the widest range of gemstone hues, is the alternate birthstone for October. Gem-quality varieties of this material have previously been mistaken for sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. In actuality, it was long believed that a famous tourmaline, about the size of a pigeon’s egg, belonged to the Russian monarch Catherine the Great.
Toramalli, a phrase used to describe bright stones in Singhalese (Sri Lankan), is said to be the source of the name of this gemstone.
Tourmaline characteristics
A complex silicate mineral that contains boron, tourmaline can also contain other elements like iron, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, and lithium. They are available in a wide range of hues, including yellow, green, red, blue, pink, brown, and black. The colors of gemstones are caused by metals that are part of the crystal structure. Manganese, for instance, is responsible for the color pink. While magnesium provides browns and yellows, iron produces colors that range from black to deep brown. Lithium-rich tourmalines can generate a range of hues, including blues, greens, and reds. Even some crystals have the ability to be bicolored. The watermelon tourmaline variant features a pink or light red inside and green outer margins that change to a translucent white zone.
Tourmalines are attracted to tiny pieces of paper, lint, and ash when heated or rubbed. The gem acquires a static electrical charge as a result. Benjamin Franklin actually used this gem in his research on electricity. Tourmaline exhibits in museums need to be cleaned frequently because the heat from the display case’s lights charges the gemstone, which attracts dust.
Tourmalines were only recently discovered compared to other gemstones. As a result, it lacks the extensive history that many other precious stones have. However, some consider tourmaline to be the “peace stone,” dispelling fear and calming the wearer.
What color birthstone corresponds to Scorpio?
A piece of Scorpio birthstone jewelry might be a better alternative. Lucky Scorpio has a wide selection of birthstones to pick from, so this star sign is inundated with options!
Opal or tourmaline are the two lovely birthstones available for Scorpio. Both have unique meanings, and our collection of jewelry with the birthstone for October offers countless variations of each.
Citrine and topaz are the two birthstones for Scorpio for November. Citrine, the birthstone for Scorpio, is recognized for its vivid orange tones, whereas topaz is more frequently seen in a range of blue hues.
The pink birthstone for October, why?
Red and pink tourmalines have previously been mistaken for rubies. The characteristics of pink tourmalines that make them stand out the most are electrifying. They produce a positive charge on one side and a negative charge on the other when heated. This indicates that they have the ability to draw in additional atoms. These characteristics were prized by alchemists because they thought the tourmaline was closely related to the philosopher’s stone, an item that could bring about enlightenment.
What does a pink tourmaline symbolize? The heart chakra and the color pink tourmaline are closely connected. The stone stands for emotional healing and love.
The birthstone for the month of October is also opal. The term “opal” has a Greek source that means “to observe a change in color.” The opal stone’s ability to display a rainbow of hues is how it got its name. Although it is considered lucky to wear the diamond, some superstitious people think that if you were not born in October, the luck is reversed.
What do opals stand for? Opal is a symbol of assurance and loyalty. Wearing the stones will guard your vision and ward off evil.
Where do you wear your birthstone ring? Which finger?
One’s Thumb
A sign of liberation is to adorn the thumb with a birthstone ring. It demonstrates your commitment to autonomy and self-expression. While not the most comfortable location to wear a ring, it is unquestionably a position of prominence and authority.
Indicator Finger
Wearing a birthstone ring on your index finger communicates your drive to lead or your desire to do so. It serves as a public expression of your aspirations, initiative, and pride.
Finger Middle
A birthstone ring on the middle finger is a representation of intense reflection or of having a loving heart. If a person is chasing identification, that is another reason they could select this finger.
A birthstone ring on the ring finger indicates a love or significant relationship with another person. As a symbol of their relationship, couples frequently get rings engraved with both of their birthstones.
The Tiny Finger
One approach to express oneself is to wear a birthstone ring on the little finger (or pinkie). Believe it or not, the little finger gets more attention than the thumb despite being smaller. This makes it the perfect place to display your commitment to a group, cause, or family by donning birthstone jewelry.
What is the birth flower for a Scorpio?
Geraniums are your recognized zodiac natal flower if you are 21. Gardeners have always loved geraniums because of their vibrant blooms and fragrant scent. These blooms are renowned for their drama and mystique, and they are closely linked to the uplifting emotional traits that Scorpios most closely imitate.
What color is auspicious for Scorpios?
The aforementioned characteristics highlight some of a Scorpio’s physical characteristics. Let’s now examine some of the traits and features that Scorpios possess and discover some fascinating information about them. You may learn more about the various facets of the Scorpio zodiac sign by reading its horoscope for the day. Check out these fascinating details and characteristics regarding this sign:
NumerologyCalculator’s list of lucky numbers for people born under the sign of Scorpio includes 3, 9, and 4.
Lucky Colors: Yellow, red, and orange are lucky hues for anyone born under the sign of Scorpio.
Coral is its fortunate gemstone, and it can be worn as a ring on the ring finger.
Compatible Zodiac Signs: Pisces and Cancer are two signs that have excellent horoscope compatibility with Scorpio. They both have shown to be excellent friends, business partners, and partners.
Incompatible Zodiac Signs: Scorpio is thought to be incompatible with Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius since they do not have compatible wavelengths.
Being Bossed Around: A Scorpio native does not like to be in a position of authority and cannot function in such a setting. On the other hand, they enjoy bossing people around and demand that everyone do what they say.
Comforts are a habit for Scorpios because they can’t function without them. They appear to be very reliant on these comforts.
Can Manipulate Unfavorable Situations: Scorpios have the ability to turn any unfavorable or adverse circumstance into an advantage. They are perceptive, funny, and adept at making the right decisions.
Scorpions make intense lovers because they are complex, moody, and passionate in their romantic relationships. They are passionate lovers. They might not, however, have a seamless romantic relationship with their partners. They go above and above to lift their partner’s spirits and make an effort to make them comfortable.
Scorpions are fighters who never give up in the face of adversity. In order to obtain the results, they will persevere no matter what. They will never give up in a dispute, and they will only utilize your words to severely outwit you.
Scorpions are extremely ambitious and strive sincerely and tenaciously to achieve desired goals, despite their seeming mystique. They must have the appearance of not sharing any personal information or sharing their thoughts, but instead only thinking about how to accomplish their objectives. Nothing can stop them after they have established their goals and outlined their plans.
Big Problem Solver: Scorpions will be there to aid you if you find yourself in desperate need of assistance. They are considered to be incredibly resourceful because they can create the greatest solution from scratch to handle a crisis.
Just Like A Coconut: A Scorpio’s heart is similar to a coconut in that it is both extraordinarily tender on the inside and extremely hard on the surface. They typically keep it cool and act as if nothing is wrong or bothering them. However, they might be internally bursting with rage, love, or any other feeling. Never display it, though!
Brutally Honest: Scorpios are renowned for their brutal honesty and directness. Therefore, don’t go to a Scorpion if you want a direct opinion but don’t want to get harmed. They won’t know how to play with words, therefore they’ll be quite forthright and direct. They won’t worry about whether you can handle it or not; they’ll just offer you the truth.
Scorpions are overly protective because they are unable to distinguish between love and possessiveness. When it comes to their friends, family, children, lovers, and other people they love and care about, they frequently overreact and become too protective. Due to this, they would do anything without considering the repercussions.
Never Give Up: Scorpions don’t typically give up and accept defeat. They fight to the latter end and take care to come out on top.
Scorpio people are quite critical of themselves and don’t mind going over their faults and actions in the mirror. Every error is viewed by them as a chance to grow and improve. They continually review their plans, methods, and efforts in an effort to steer clear of prior errors.
Courageous: Scorpio natives have a strong sense of courage and don’t back down from a challenge.
They often stick to their abilities and face true adversity while others may choose the easier path.
They are believed to be mysterious and adventurous beings that live each day to the fullest.
Learn more about yourself and what the stars have in store for you by reading your monthly Scorpio horoscope. Utilize the Moon Sign Calculator to understand more about your moon sign and discover how Vedic astrology describes your features, qualities, and personality.
What flower blooms in October?
Marigold and cosmos are the two birth flowers for October. Both stems grow well in the summer and fall and have a long history in gardening, folk medicine, and history. A gift that was inspired by the cosmos is gorgeous and significant when you need to recognize someone whose birthday is in October. The diameter of this daisy-like flower ranges from 3 to 5 inches, and its hues are varied. The orange Cosmos is a symbol of October birthdays, but it also comes in pink, white, and purple colors, which make lovely gift possibilities.