October Birthstone

Basically there are two birthstones for the month of October. These are the opal and the pink tourmaline. Opal was derived from the ancient Sanskrit word "upala" and the latin word "opalus" which means precious stone. The opal is the most common gemstone.

The opal is made up of microscopic silica spheres that is held together by other silicas and water. It is a very fragile hydrated silica material. The opal is a soft stone and can be altered easily in appearance by heat and pressure. The opal contains different amounts of water and this is what determines the appearance of the opal. If the water evaporates out of the opal, the mineral will appear slightly smaller and the effect of the evaporation will create crack on the gemstone.

You can actually find an opal in near-surface volcanic rocks. It is found within the cavities and cracks. In a sedimentary ash rock, the opal is formed by percolating water that dissolves the silica and eventually precipitates and results to an opal. The opal is sometimes the replacement for fossils, shells, bones, or wood. It is a substitue for those materials that the original material has already dissolved.

Opals are very famous because of their multi-colored effects or their play of colors. There are so many stones that has the colors of the rainbow when they are moved. This is because of the interference of the light on the stone's small cracks. Opals also have this kind of ability because to the stone's impurities. If you see some pearly or milky appearance on opals, this is because of the presence of tiny gas bubbles. The red and yellows betray the abundance of iron oxides. The beautiful black opal can sometimes appear green, blue or red, this is caused by the magnesium oxides and carbon within the opal. Possibly the most valuable opal is the harlequin, it is a large stone with angular patches of yellow, red and green and it resembles the checks on a clown's dress.

The major source of opals is in Australia. The country is also noted for the abundance of the magnificent black opals. However, you can find the fire opals in Mexico even now, Mexico is still abundant with the Fire opal. The brilliant fire opals can also be found in the state of Nevada in the United States. Other sources of the opal are Honduras, Nicaragua, Japan, Ireland, Guatemala, and Brazil.

The opal represents love and hope according to the ancient Romans. The opal is sometimes called as the Anchor of Love. Legend states that it fell from the sky in flashes of lightning. Ancient civilizations say that it makes the wearer powerful by being invisible. The opal was the amulet of spies and thieves.

During the Medieval Age, if the opal changes its color, it was believed that the owner was either ill or in good health. The gemstone was used to maintain a strong heart protection from infection, fainting, and is used as an air freshener.

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