October Birthstone: The Beauty and Mystery of Opal
Share
Opal – October's Beautiful Birthstone
Todays blog is about the wonderful background of the Opal gemstone, whether you are interested in gemstones generally or are looking at what your birthstone stands for …here is a potted history
If you were born in October, your traditional birthstone is one of the most fascinating gemstones in the world – Opal.
Unlike almost any other gemstone, opal can display many different colours, those are blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and red, known as flashes as they catch the light. This remarkable effect, known as play-of-colour, is what gives opal its distinctive appearance and has fascinated people for centuries.
No two opals are exactly alike, making opal jewellery a particularly personal choice for anyone celebrating an October birthday.
What Is Opal?
Opal is a hydrated form of silica, containing water within its structure. It forms when water carrying dissolved silica moves through cracks and spaces in rock. As the water gradually evaporates, tiny spheres of silica are left behind and, over a very long period, these can form opal.
The way these tiny silica spheres are arranged is responsible for the flashes of colour that make precious opal so distinctive.
Opals can be found in a variety of colours and types. Australia is particularly famous for its opals, with important sources including Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Queensland. Opal is also found in countries including Ethiopia, Mexico and Brazil.
Why Does Opal Have So Many Colours?
The most magical feature of precious opal is its play-of-colour.
As light reflects onto the stone, it interacts with the tiny silica structures inside the opal. This can produce flashes of different colours that seem to move across the surface as the gemstone is turned.
One moment you might see blue and green; the next, flashes of orange, pink or red.
This is why opals have often been compared with everything from rainbows and fireworks to galaxies and distant stars.
The History and Legends of Opal
Opal has a fascinating history.
The name is believed to have come from the Sanskrit word upala, meaning "precious stone", before becoming opalus in ancient Rome. Roman writers admired the gemstone because it appeared to contain the colours of many other precious stones.
The Romans associated opal with hope and love, while ancient Greeks believed that opals could give their owners the gift of prophecy and protect them from disease.
There were also stories that opal came from the heavens. Some Arabic traditions suggested that opals were formed when lightning struck the earth, helping to explain the gemstone's extraordinary flashes of colour.
For centuries, opal was generally regarded as a lucky and mysterious gemstone.
Are Opals Really Unlucky?
You may have heard the old saying that opals are unlucky – but where did this idea come from?
Interestingly, the superstition appears to be much more recent than many people realise.
One of the most famous sources was Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein. In the story, an opal becomes associated with an unfortunate series of events, helping to spread the idea that the gemstone could bring bad luck.
Before this, opal had generally been viewed much more positively and was associated with qualities such as hope, purity and good fortune.
So, if you love opal jewellery, there is certainly no historical reason to avoid wearing it simply because of this old superstition.
Queen Victoria and the Revival of Opal Jewellery
Opal enjoyed another important period of popularity during the Victorian era.
The Victorian era brought the popularity of Opals to the fore, indeed Queen Victoria was a real lover of opals.
As well as having them in her own collection, she gave them to family and friends.
As with many jewellery trends of the time, Royalty had a great influence on the public. Queen Victoria's enthusiasm helped bring opals back into fashion and encouraged more people to appreciate their unusual beauty.
Today, opal remains a distinctive choice for jewellery, particularly for anyone looking for something a little different from the more traditional gemstones.
Opal Jewellery for October Birthdays
Opal makes a wonderful October birthstone gift because every gemstone has its own individual pattern and play-of-colour.
You can find opal set into many different styles of jewellery, including:
Whether you prefer a delicate piece for everyday wear or a more eye-catching design, opal has a character that is difficult to reproduce with any other gemstone.
It is also the traditional gemstone associated with the 14th wedding anniversary, making opal jewellery a great choice for an anniversary gift as well.
Choosing Opal Jewellery
When choosing an opal, look closely at the colours and pattern within the stone. Some opals have a gentle, almost milky appearance, while others can show dramatic flashes of colour.
The beauty of opal is that there isn't one particular colour that defines it. The attraction is in the way the stone changes as it catches the light.
At Sarah Beth Jewellers, we love jewellery that has its own character, and opal is a perfect example. Its natural variations mean that each piece has its own individual appearance.
Shop Opal Jewellery at Sarah Beth Jewellers
If you're looking for an October birthstone gift, explore our collection of opal jewellery at Sarah Beth Jewellers.
From opal rings and earrings to necklaces and pendants, our collection includes pieces chosen for their individual beauty and character.
Shop our opal jewellery collection and discover a beautiful October birthstone for yourself or someone special.
A gemstone with a story
Opal has inspired stories, legends and jewellery lovers for centuries. Its wonderful colours make it one of the most distinctive gemstones available, while its connection with October makes it an especially meaningful choice for a birthday gift.
Whether you believe the legends surrounding opal or simply love the way it catches the light, there is something undeniably special about this fabulous gemstone.