Modern Birthstone- OpalHope, innocence, and purity
October's birthstone has a unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The explosion of color that hits your eye is reminiscent of a beautiful rainbow following a thunderstorm. Most opal is 50-65 million years old, dating back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It is formed as silica from decomposing rocks mixed with ground water which formed a silica gel that collected and hardened in underground cavities and fissures.
Opal gets it's name from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel. It was called "Cupid Paederos" by the Romans, meaning a child beautiful as love. One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.
Opals were treasured by ancient monarchs, for both their beauty and presumed healing powers. They were set into crowns and worn in necklaces to ward off evil and to protect the eyesight. These gemstones were also ground and ingested for their healing properties and to ward off nightmares, if you can believe that!
Opal actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence. Opal must also be guarded from blows, since it is relatively soft and breaks easily.
A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness, confidence, creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.
Opal gets it's name from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel. It was called "Cupid Paederos" by the Romans, meaning a child beautiful as love. One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.
Opals were treasured by ancient monarchs, for both their beauty and presumed healing powers. They were set into crowns and worn in necklaces to ward off evil and to protect the eyesight. These gemstones were also ground and ingested for their healing properties and to ward off nightmares, if you can believe that!
Opal actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence. Opal must also be guarded from blows, since it is relatively soft and breaks easily.
A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness, confidence, creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.
Black Opal Doublet Hammered Sterling Silver Pod Bracelet
by Three Angels Forge
The MAGICAL MYSTICAL LIBRAN MOON Talisman Necklace
by Emily Gray Jewels
Quartet Ring--Size 8.5
by Vivian Gatson Desgns
