The October Birthstone – The Complete Guide
Opal, the designated birthstone for October, brings good fortune to those born in this month. Consider yourself fortunate, as this gem has been esteemed since ancient Greek times for its representation of purity and hope. The ancient Romans believed in its protective qualities, guarding against harm and danger.
Each Opal is inherently distinct, ensuring that even if you possess five pieces of Opal jewelry, each will showcase its own unique and individual appearance.
What Is The Meaning Of The October Birthstone
The term ‘Opal’ originates from the Greek word ‘opallios,’ signifying ‘to see a color change.’ Pliny, the Roman scholar, employed ‘opalus’ when describing its vibrant display of colors that could mirror the various hues of any gemstone.
Opal’s unique play of color was elucidated when scientists uncovered its composition of microscopic silica spheres, diffracting light to reveal a spectrum of colors. Those displaying this captivating phenomenon are referred to as precious Opals, while those lacking the play of color are termed common Opals.
Various Opal varieties exist, with recognition primarily based on their background body color, either black or white. Australia contributes 95% of the world’s Opal supply, although it is also mined in regions such as the USA, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Honduras, Brazil, and Mexico.
Opal’s water content ranges from 3% to 21%, and it registers a hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, making it a delicate gemstone susceptible to cracking under direct light, dehydration, or extreme temperatures.
Despite the superstition associating Opals with bad luck for October-born individuals, the birthstone remains popular. Scientists synthesized Opal in 1974 after discovering its spherical silica structure in the 1960s. Opal has gained increased popularity, especially with recent discoveries in Ethiopia.
Beyond its physical attributes, Opal holds symbolic significance, representing creativity, innocence, and hope. It is considered a protective stone against negative forces. Opals come in various colors, with White Opals exhibiting rainbow-like sparkles, Black Opals displaying gray, blue, or black hues, and Water Opals being transparent with radiant colors under light.
Fire Opals, transparent with body colors of orange, red, or yellow, and the Harlequin Opal, featuring evenly distributed colors resembling small flakes, showcase the diverse spectrum of this gem.
Throughout history, Opal and Tourmaline have captivated cultures worldwide, inspiring legends and stories. Arabic tales describe Opals falling from the sky like lightning bolts, while Australian aborigines attribute the stones to the creator’s footsteps. In the 14th century, Opals were believed to sharpen vision, but Indian superstitions linked them to clearing the mind and enhancing memory.
While some folklore associates Opals with bad luck, particularly due to a fictional tragedy in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, ancient Greeks perceived Opals as bestowing foresight and prophecy to wearers who used them selflessly, cautioning against misuse leading to misfortune in love and endeavors.
What Are The Key Traits Of The October Birthstone?
Opal signifies a tranquil demeanor, concealing an adventurous spirit beneath the surface. It embodies qualities such as innocence, creativity, hope, and inspiration, characteristics shared by individuals born in October.
Opal individuals are driven to excel, aspiring to inspire others. They remain optimistic, always anticipating the best that life has to offer. This gem acts as a protective talisman, shielding wearers from negative energies and ill intentions, allowing them to maintain a low profile when desired.
Quietly confident and action-oriented, those born under this birthstone exhibit deep affection for friends and family, particularly those who have shown kindness. While emotionally attuned, they seldom allow feelings to hinder decision-making, transforming daydreams into tangible realities through hard work.
Optimism prevails even in challenging times, and they radiate a positive disposition despite being surrounded by negativity. Opal symbolizes confidence, faith, and hope, endowing its bearers with a magnetic charm that facilitates easy friendships and engaging conversations on a myriad of topics.
Decisive yet emotional, Opal individuals avoid prolonged indecision and swiftly make life-altering choices. Idealistic and driven by their best principles, they lead dynamic lives, perpetually seeking novelty and exploration.
Restlessness prevails, prompting them to abandon what no longer serves them, yet they remain open to revisiting past interests. Despite a desire for peace, Opal individuals attract attention effortlessly, making it challenging to enjoy solitary moments in public.
Intuitive and occasionally reserved, they sense ulterior motives but can be open and approachable. While appearing calm externally, their minds are constantly active, harboring a thirst for adventure, spontaneity, and fearlessness. Despite initial appearances, they relish conversation and social interactions, displaying a genuine love for meeting new people.
Individuals associated with Opal have a deep affinity for those who reciprocate their love ardently. They treat their loved ones with great care, holding a significant place in their lives.
Drawing people to the center, Opal individuals actively cultivate friendships and warmly embrace newcomers. Their compassionate nature is evident in their readiness to assist those in need, going out of their way to offer support.
Fueled by a love for travel, literature, and the arts, Opal enthusiasts also relish spending time in outdoor settings. While they may be prone to quick anger and hurt, they possess a remarkable resilience, swiftly recovering and extending forgiveness. Unconcerned about others’ opinions, they exhibit a touchy-feely demeanor.
Opal personalities reveal both a streak of jealousy and stubbornness, presenting themselves as strong, opinionated, and emotional. Despite a vulnerability to external influences and occasional lapses in confidence, they remain fair and decisive.
Valuing both inner and physical beauty, Opal individuals find joy in the company of children. Their notable psychic abilities, particularly clairvoyance, drive their concern for the welfare of others. Rooted in a quest for equality and justice, Opal individuals are committed to ensuring the well-being of those around them.
The Color of the October Birthstone and its Secret Meaning
Opal, the birthstone of October, derives its name from the Greek word ‘opallios,’ signifying ‘to see a color change.’ It evokes a whimsical imagery of rainbows appearing in the sky after a summer rainfall, capturing the essence of fantasy.
Esteemed by ancient rulers for its protective qualities, Opals adorned crowns and jewelry. Steeped in history, Opals, according to Arabic legend, were believed to have fallen from the heavens in a blaze of lightning.
The Latin term ‘opalus,’ meaning precious jewel, accurately describes this gemstone, which contains up to 30% water and demands protection from heat and harsh chemicals. Prone to drying out and losing brilliance, Opals require careful monitoring to prevent breakage from knocks or blows.
Formed from non-crystallized silica near the earth’s surface, Opals are found in regions where geothermal springs once existed. Predominantly mined in Australia, they also occur in Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Gemstones, discovered within the Earth’s layers, became symbolic representations of specific events throughout the year, each believed to radiate powerful energies. Opals, when given as gifts, convey sentiments of enchantment, healing, safety, and protection.
Bestowing an Opal as a gift symbolizes confidence and commitment, with additional attributes of dispelling nightmares and possessing healing properties for eye-related issues. Used historically for protection in battle and to ease childbirth pains, Opal symbolizes trust, devotion, joy, innocence, and virtue.
Opals showcase a captivating array of colors, exhibiting rainbow hues from deep blue to pink and vibrant green, akin to green tourmaline. People associated with this birthstone mirror its vivacity, spontaneity, and creativity, making life with them dynamic and exhilarating.
While Opal wearers may experience emotional moments, their ability to forgive and forget easily aids in healing and overcoming challenges. These gemstones, visually fascinating with rainbow-colored specks, are generally white but can display various hues. The presence of water in their structure creates the iconic rainbow appearance, and without it, Opals revert to a pale white state.
The most precious Opals feature rainbow-like colors, known as ‘opalescence,’ a result of diffraction that adds significant value to this unique gemstone. Opals, with their captivating appearance, continue to captivate admirers with their enchanting play of colors.
Necklaces, Rings, and Jewelry for People Born in October
The Opal embodies qualities of reliability, confidence, and faithfulness, deriving its name from the Latin word ‘opalus,’ meaning ‘precious jewel.’ Wearing Opal jewelry is believed to ward off evil and safeguard eyesight, while symbolizing purity, innovativeness, and hope.
Beyond its symbolic significance, Opals offer practical benefits, fortifying memory and bolstering one’s will to live. They possess therapeutic properties, addressing fevers, infections, regulating insulin levels, and detoxifying the blood and kidneys. Opals also provide relief from PMS and labor pains.
Classified as a living gem due to its 5-10% water content, Opals can dry out when exposed to chemicals, soap, or heat. Long-term storage may cause them to wilt and break. Their delicate nature requires careful handling to avoid damage from rough materials. Regular wear is recommended to maintain moisture and overall condition.
Opal holds traditional significance as an 18th-anniversary gift, representing hope, faith, and confidence. Available in various jewelry forms, such as bracelets, rings, and pendants, Opals come in different types with varying costs based on quality and gemstone value.
While Opal rings may range from $100 to $300, pendants can command prices as high as $500. The fluctuating cost of Opal jewelry is influenced by the gemstone’s unique qualities. Although some Opals lack the play of light brilliance seen in other stones, and their color range may be limited, their profitability is also impacted by the ease of manufacture and imitation, diminishing their exclusive market value.
Despite these challenges, Opal remains a beloved and popular gemstone, celebrated for its enduring appeal and distinctive qualities.
How Much Does The October Birthstone Cost?
The price of Opal varies based on several critical factors. Elements such as the type of Opal, its brilliance, pattern, body tone, play of color, and color bar thickness all contribute significantly to determining its value. Additional considerations include size, polish, and the quality of the cut.
When appraising Opals, careful examination is conducted, and a price per carat is assigned, with the overall carat size being a key determinant. It is crucial to identify the type of Opal under consideration, as Opal doublets or triplets are generally less valuable than solid Opals. Doublets and triplets are assembled stones with only a thin slice of natural Opal, making them less valuable.
The underlying color of Opals, ranging from dark to light, holds paramount importance. Opals with a dark or black body tone are more valuable as they often display colors more brilliantly. Faults, such as cracks, crazing, potch lines, grey lines, and windows, significantly impact Opal value, and stones with such imperfections may be rendered nearly worthless.
Valuing Opals lacks a standardized method due to their uniqueness, and multiple factors are considered in the evaluation process. Buyers are advised to request authenticity and valuation certificates when purchasing Opals. Seeking a second opinion from a reputable gemstone valuer can alleviate concerns about the stone’s authenticity.
Opal prices vary by type. Black Opals, for instance, can commercially sell for $30 to $90 per carat, while extra fine quality may command $2,000 to $6,500 per carat. Good quality Black Opals are available for $80 to $400 per carat. Mexican Fire Opals range from $2 to $45 per carat, with good quality options priced at $50 to $250 per carat. Extra fine Fire Opals can fetch $300 to $500 per carat. Boulder Opals sell for $15 to $295 per carat, with fine-quality stones costing $290 to $1,480 per carat.
Opal is a stone accessible to individuals of varying financial means, with value not solely dependent on the purchase price but also on personal appreciation. Opals accommodate different cuts to suit any budget, offering both inexpensive and expensive options. Regardless of financial standing, owning a genuine Opal—distinguished from synthetic counterparts—is a point of pride. Buyers are encouraged to determine their budget and purpose, whether for investment or as a gift, to guide their Opal purchase decision.
My Final Thoughts On The October Birthstone
Acquiring an Opal is akin to procuring a masterpiece—it’s a matter of personal taste. Determining the value of an Opal is highly subjective, and opinions within the trade often diverge on factors that either elevate or diminish an Opal’s worth.
To make an informed purchase, consider certain guidelines. Begin by scrutinizing and focusing on the Opal’s color, as the interplay between its background color and play of light gives the gem its unique hue. The background color, representing the fundamental tone, varies in desirability, with black often preferred due to its ability to showcase the play of color beautifully.
The play of color, Opal’s distinctive display of shimmering rainbow hues, is highly valued, with vibrant play of color preferred over weak or faint displays. The most lucrative Opals exhibit a play of color from all angles, spanning the full spectrum from red to blue and contrasting distinctly with the background color.
Clarity, denoting the absence of inclusions or imperfections, is a crucial aspect of an Opal’s quality. Diaphaneity, ranging from transparent to opaque, is esteemed differently based on Opal type. When cutters design the finished gem, they prioritize color, clarity, and pattern, favoring larger and closely arranged color patches over scattered specks.
Unlike standard shapes and sizes, outstanding Opals may feature non-traditional cabochon cuts, showcasing domed surfaces for the best play of color. The opulent and multicolored Opal, the birthstone of October, is renowned for mirroring the wearer’s mood.
Wearing an Opal is believed to imbue the wearer with creative energy, motivation, inventiveness, and innovation. It is said to remove obstacles and unleash inhibitions, allowing the wearer to become ‘invisible’ if they wish to avoid attention.
Symbolizing loyalty and confidence, Opals possess expressive and creatively empowering characteristics depending on their type and grade. Ultimately, an Opal’s value extends beyond monetary considerations, reflecting its unique and meaningful qualities for those who appreciate its allure.
