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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Is opal or pink the birthstone for October?
Opal is a distinctive and well-liked gemstone that, among other things, lends itself wonderfully to jewelry. Ever notice the way an opal’s many colors shine? Continue reading to learn five interesting facts about the popular opal, the birthstone for October!
- Many people think that rain becoming caught inside of a rock is how opal forms. Crystalline silica in the rock is carried downward by the rain. The silicon slowly dries out after that.
- NASA made a really intriguing finding in the year 2008. Opal deposits have been discovered on Mars!
- Australia provides over 95% of the valuable birthstones for October in the globe. Since 1875, opal has been mined in Australia!
- Regarding the opal gem stone’s exceptional abilities, both Ancient Greeks and Romans held distinct views. Many individuals in Ancient Greece believed that opal might make you psychic! The common gemstone was associated with optimism and love in Ancient Rome.
- The abundance of silica spheres of various sizes is what gives opal gemstones their wide range of colors. The lovely October birthstone’s stunning array of colors is produced by light refraction caused by the spheres.
Is October Birthstone Opal or Tourmaline?
Opal and pink tourmaline are two magnificent birthstones that honor those who were born in October. Both opal and tourmaline, the birthstones for October, typically emit a range of hues. Jewelry with October birthstones stands out thanks to the variety of colors. Any piece can be altered to fit your personality and style. There are several jewelry alternatives available with these distinctive jewels, ranging from pendants to earrings.
Is October Birthstone Opal or Pink?
Opal and pink tourmaline are the birthstones for October. The main birthstone, tourmaline, is one of the few stones that can be found in practically every color, making it a rare gem. Some pink tourmalines are as clear as diamonds in clarity! Opals, on the other hand, are unique in their own right. Opal patterns have their own descriptive terminology since they are so distinctive. Opals are the most distinctively individual gems. The most fragile gemstones worn frequently are opals, which need specific maintenance.
Why Does October have two Birthstones?
The National Association of Jewelers decided to compile a list of acceptable birthstones for each month in 1952 in an effort to standardize the birthstones. That last has since been modified over time to match adjustments in fashion trends and stone supply. In the instance of October, there were concerns raised regarding the durability of the opal and it was thought by many to be excessively feminine in look. To add tourmaline to the mix, the association made this decision. More recently, it was determined that opal and pink tourmaline would be the birthstones for October.
What is the October Birthstone Meaning?
The opal, the traditional birthstone for October, is thought to have originated in India (where the first opals were imported to the West), where it was known as upala, or a “precious stone,” in Sanskrit. This was known as opalus in ancient Rome. The majority of opals are prized for their rainbow-hued color shifting, or “play of color.”
The more recent birthstone for October is tourmaline. Due to the frequent presence of several hues in a single crystal, the term is derived from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors.” Few gems can rival the stunning variety of colors found in tourmaline. Perhaps for this reason, ancient mystics thought that the birthstone for October could stimulate creative expression. There is a color scheme for each mood. The pink and red rubellites, the emerald green “chrome tourmalines, and the neon green and blue-to-violet “paraba tourmalines are among the most well-liked varieties.
What Color is the October Birthstone?
The traditional birthstones for October are opal and tourmaline. Some of the most exquisite and unusual gemstones include opal and tourmaline.
No other gem compares to the opal’s dynamic kaleidoscope of kaleidoscopic colors. The brilliance of fine opal is difficult to describe in words and elusive. It has been compared to volcanoes, galaxies, jellyfish, pyrotechnics, and jellyfish.
The tourmaline, which is generally depicted as pink, actually comes in a variety of colors, including pink (which is the approved color to represent October’s birthstone), blue, luxurious reds, and greens, which are used to embellish the showrooms of luxury jewelers.
What Are Typical October Birthstone Rings?
Shop rings with the birthstone of October at Joseph’s Jewelry. To celebrate this month of birthdays, we have some amazing rings to offer. Here are a few examples:
- Teardrop Pink Created Zircon and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring
- Pink created zircon stackable ring made of 14K white gold.
- Ladies’ Pink Created Zircon and Diamond Ring in 925 Sterling Silver
What Are Typical October Birthstone Necklaces?
Visit Joseph’s Jewelry to view our lovely October birthstone necklaces. Check out our selection of October birthstone necklaces to get exactly what you’re searching for;
- Pink Created Zircon Pendant Necklace in 14K White Gold with Diamond Accents
- Opal Cross Pendant in 14k Yellow Gold
- Pink Created Zircon and Diamond Halo Drop Necklace in 14K White Gold
What gemstone symbolizes each month’s birth?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.
Is opal a birthstone for April?
The fact that there is no universal consensus on what each birthstone should be and that most sources include different stones for the same month is one of the fascinating aspects about birthstones! Different cultures have created unique birthstone calendars, which have frequently been updated and modified over time. The benefit of this for modern consumers is the ability to select from a variety of stones depending on your taste, ethical priorities, and financial constraints during specific months of the year. As an example, April was once thought to just have one birthstone, the diamond, but there are really four others that have been connected to the month throughout history and are also worthy of consideration. The recent association of diamonds with “conflict” or “blood” stones, which have been used to finance organized crime, bloodshed, insurrection, and civil war in many poor countries, most notably in Africa, has damaged diamond’s reputation as a gemstone. In addition, the manufacture of diamonds has allegedly engaged in labor abuse and damaged the environment at several production sites. Furthermore, throughout the past century or so, De Beers has marketed diamonds shrewdly, which has increased demand while purposefully reducing supply, which has led to an increase in pricing. For these reasons, some people have opted to forego using diamonds as the birthstone for April in favor of four fascinating substitutes that have established their legitimacy as genuine April birthstones: White topaz, quartz, opal, and sapphire.
(The birthstone calendar with a “conventional” design that most people are accustomed to)
Some of these jewels have been used as April birthstones since ancient civilizations in antiquity, long before diamonds were used. One such illustration is the over 3,500-year-old Ayurvedic birthstone calendar from ancient India. Additionally, more recently, some stones that resemble diamonds have been added. The notion that birthstones bring luck and wealth to their owners is the major characteristic that unites all birthstones. The quantity (or lack thereof) of specific gemstones in the environment surrounding each civilization heavily influenced many of the ancient birthstones, and this surely had an impact on the modern birthstone calendars. The American National Association of Jewellers made the first attempt to standardize the birthstone calendar in 1912. Since then, other additional gemmological associations have created their own calendars, the most contemporary of which frequently mention “alternative or “secondary birthstone alternatives for specific months. Although some calendars do identify diamond as the lone birthstone for April, this is mostly due to the stone’s aggressive marketing and enduring vogue during the previous century. In many ancient societies, sapphire and opal, two of the four alternate April birthstones, were well-established for the month of April long before diamond. Due to their physical similarities to diamond and ability to provide eye-clean color and scintillation (or “sparkle”) at a considerably lower cost, white topaz and quartz were added more recently.
(Sapphire is frequently linked to September, but historically, it was an April birthstone.)
The ancient Roman, Slavic, Hebrew, and Arabic calendars all recognized sapphire as the birthstone for April. It is true that a ruby is essentially a red “sapphire” because both are members of the corundum family of gemstones, which also contains sapphire (whereas a sapphire may be found in a spectrum of colours, including blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, black and white). The most common sapphire is blue, but pink, green, and yellow sapphires are also becoming more popular. According to legend, sapphire helps alleviate tension and anxiety while promoting inner calm and tranquillity. This mysterious stone has also been connected to easing anxiety and tension as well as promoting spiritual awakening. In the traditional Tibetan calendar, opal was regarded as the birthstone for April ” (sometimes referred to as the “mystical birthstone calendar in ancient writings). Beautiful opal is known for reflecting a rainbow of colors, a phenomenon brought on by layers of silica contained in the stone’s physical structure. Opals must be handled carefully because they are a delicate gemstone. It is a “mineraloid, a “amorphous stone without a crystalline structure, in chemical words. Opal was treasured by the ancient Greeks as a source of wisdom, while the Romans saw it as a representation of optimism and purity. Opal is highly prized nowadays for its aesthetic appeal and its reflecting properties. Additionally, according to some spiritualists, it enables people to communicate their ideas and emotions more clearly and honestly.
Although white topaz has not historically been associated with April, it is now, partly because of its physical resemblance to diamond. The simplicity with which cutters can facet white topaz to produce stunning scintillation is one of its primary qualities. Topaz is said to aid its possessor in letting go of negative energy and imprisoning thoughts. Due to its physical closeness to topaz, quartz is also a well-liked substitute for diamond and is notably well-liked as the April birthstone in the UK. Quartz is a mineral that comes in a wide range of colors, but the one that is most closely associated with April is the white or colorless variety. Quartz is considered to inspire creativity. The Herkimer Diamond is a very unique member of the quartz family. In reality, Herkimer diamonds are a type of quartz that can only be discovered in Herkimer County, New York State, in the United States. They got the name “diamond due to the fact that they resemble the precious stone closely and form as double terminated crystals, or diamond-shaped crystals. It is comforting to know that there is a variety of birthstones available with varied degrees of historical links and contemporary spiritual interpretations for people for whom the month of April holds special significance. The most important factor is that you select a stone that you are drawn to and feel a connection to.
What do opals represent?
Color, Meaning, and Folklore of Opals. Opal, the birthstone for October, represents loyalty and assurance. The name is derived from the Greek word opallios, which means “to observe a shift in color,” and the Latin word opalus, which means “valuable jewel.” Learn more about the birthstone for this month!
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.
Which opal shade has the highest value?
The most gorgeous precious stone is the opal. From the darkest, clearest blues and greens to shimmering golden orange, through delicate pink and violet to rich turquoise, striking vermilion, carmine, and fuchsia – every color imaginable – it boasts every color of the visible spectrum.
Any or all of these colors may be present in an opal. They are arranged in beautiful patterns with names like rolling flash, harlequin, pinfire, Chinese script, flower garden, and mackerel sky. Gem opal is incredibly uncommon, much as other good things.
The harsh Australian outback is where most of the precious opal in the world is mined. Here, a special set of geological factors allowed opal to form close to the edges of an ancient inland sea. The best and most abundant opal in the world is thought to originate from Australia. Opal was designated as Australia’s National Gemstone in 1994.
Colour and Formation
Small silicon dioxide spheres that can only be seen under an electron microscope make up opal.
The silicon dioxide specks of valuable opal, also known as opal with spectral colors or “play of color,” are consistent in size and arranged in orderly rows and layers. This arrangement produces lattices that divide white light into its spectrum’s various colors. The smallest spheres create violet-colored opal, and the largest, red, as the size of the spheres increases from violet to red.
The vast majority of opal is referred to as common opal or potch because it lacks color play. Common opal can also be found in other colors but is commonly grey, black, white, or amber in color. There are microscopic silica dioxide balls in common opal, however they are asymmetrical in terms of size, form, and/or placement.
Opals are created when dissolved silica-containing water seeps into cracks and crevices in rock or clay. As the water slowly dries out, silicon dioxide tiny spheres start to form. Opal creation requires a very particular pH and other chemical environment, which only occasionally occurs in nature.
Cost and Rarity
Small silica dioxide spheres that can only be seen under an electron microscope make up the small spheres that make up an opal.
The tiny spheres of silica dioxide are consistent in size and arranged in orderly rows and layers to form exquisite opal, which is the name given to opal with spectral colors or “play of color.” White light is diffracted into different colors of the spectrum by this setup, which produces lattices. The smallest spheres create violet-colored opal, while the largest make red opal, as the size of the spheres increases from the violet to the red end of the spectrum.
Opal is classified as common or potch since the vast majority of it lacks color play. Common opal can be found in more colors besides grey, black, white, or amber. Although the silica dioxide crystals in common opal are small, they are not uniform in size, shape, or arrangement.
When dissolved silica-containing water seeps into cracks and crevices in rock or clay, opal is created. As the water slowly dries out, small spheres of silicon dioxide start to form. Opal creation requires a highly specialized and infrequently occurring set of pH and other chemical conditions.
Types of Opals
The most uncommon and expensive variety of opal is black opal, which has what is referred as as a black (or dark) body tone. All the colors of the rainbow can be found in black opals. The colors on the opal’s face appear rich and strong due to their dark body tones.
How dark is an opal if you ignore its color? A black opal is referred to if it is completely black or almost so. Dark opal is opal that has a dark body tone that is not black.
Opal with a light body tone is known as light opal. Precious light opal’s colors have a lovely, pastel-like appearance. Opal that is the lightest of all opals is sometimes referred to as white or milky opal.
If you hold a piece of crystal opal up to the light, some light will flow through it. It lacks the crystalline structure of diamond or amethyst. It is simply termed “crystal” because of how transparent it is, similar to crystalline materials like glass or rock crystal.
Australian crystal opal’s body has a warm orange hue when illuminated by light coming through from behind.
Even while crystal opal often has a light body tone, it can occasionally be as dark as black opal. Then it is known as Black Crystal.
Opal that has been naturally backed by host rock is known as boulder opal. The most well-known boulder opal comes from Western Queensland, where it grows in voids inside ironstone, a brown-colored rock rich in iron.
On dark ironstone, the opal appears rich in color and dark in body tone, much like black opal. Opal can occasionally be found scattered throughout the ironstone in tiny, erratic veins. It is known as a boulder matrix.
Boulder opal country also generates thicker “pipes” of crystal opal, which are formed when the opal fills cylindrical tunnels made by tree roots, fallen branches, or burrowing invertebrate animals.
Potch is identical to opal; it contains small spheres of silicon dioxide as a mineral. The main distinction between the two is that while in potch the tiny spheres are dispersed, in valuable opal they are all evenly distributed and piled like oranges in a crate.
Indigenous connection
Yes, there is no doubt that the first people to discover opal were the Aboriginal people, and there are Dreamtime stories that describe how opal was made.
Opal mining afforded Aboriginal people the chance to make a respectable livelihood in contemporary Lightning Ridge at a period when doing so was very challenging elsewhere. In Lightning Ridge, there are numerous prosperous families of Aboriginal miners.
Valuing Opal
A weight unit known as a carat, which is used to measure weight, serves as the basic unit of valuation for all gemstones. (1/5 gram is equal to 1 carat).
Several variables combine to determine the cost of opal per carat:
- Brightness: best when it’s brightest
- Purple is the most prevalent color, followed by blue, green, then orange, gold, and finally red, which is the most uncommon and consequently the most valuable.
- Chinese Writing and Harlequin are two patterns that are more uncommon than Pinfire.
- Body tone: If you disregard the color of the opal, the body tone is its level of blackness; all other things being equal, the darker the body tone, the rarer and thus more precious the opal.
- Consistency: An opal is considered more highly if it seems brilliant and lovely from all angles rather than brilliant in one position but dull in another.
Other concerns include flaws like sand or potch appearing on the opal’s face.
In general, a valuable opal is valued higher when it possesses a rarer mix of characteristics. Like fine jewelry, fine wine, and fine art, the final cost may vary depending on the buyer’s preferences and the state of the market.
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.