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Birthstone for October - Opal
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
October Birthstone: Opal
Birthstone
Properties: Enhances insight and dispels fear
Alternative
Birthstone: Tourmaline
Opal is the birthstone for October and the gemstone given to commemorate a
14th wedding anniversary. The word "opal" for this dynamic gemstone was
derived from the Greek word "opallus" which means to see a change in color
because it is, after all, opal's ability to refract and reflect specific
wavelengths of light that make it so special. In fact, there are more than
a dozen varieties of fiery and iridescent opals.
Opal is a non-crystallized silica, a mineral found near the earth's
surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. Romans
called the magnificent gemstone "Cupid Paederos," meaning a child as
beautiful as love. They believed that opals fell to earth from the heavens
in a flash of lightening. However they arrived in on Earth
originally, today opals must be mined from deposits found primarily in
Southern Australia, although other sources exist in Brazil, Mexico,
Czechoslovakia, and Nevada.
Crown Jewels Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the
ages. During the Middle Ages, fair-haired young women put sapphires in
their tresses to protect the lovely blond color of their hair. Physicians
ground opals into a powder that was ingested to ward off nightmares.
Since the 14th century, many cultures have considered this stone to be an
Eye Stone, a stone that watches over royal families as well as a stone
that strengthens the eyesight. They believed it to be the "king of gems"
because an opal holds within its fire all the colors of the rainbow and
all other gems, as well. And like many birthstones, opals were treasured
by ancient monarchs for their appearance AND their powers.
Opals were routinely set into the crowns and necklaces of rulers who
believed the protective powers of the gemstones would ward off evil.
Writers of the period believed the opal could render its wearer invisible
when the need arose.
The Russians had the complete opposite belief in opals, viewing them as
nothing but bad luck.
Always the Right Gift A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and
confidence. And the wide range of choices in opal make them a perfect gift
for anyone:
Black Opal - the stone has a dark body tone in comparison to a white opal.
White Opal - also known as 'milky opal', featuring light white body tones
Boulder Opal - very dark and beautiful in color
Crystal Opal - any opal with a transparent or semi-transparent body tone.
Forms of crystal opal include black crystal and white crystal.
Fire Opal - an American term meaning any opal that displays a significant
amount of red coloring. Mexican fire opal is a different kind of opal,
which displays orange coloring)
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
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