October’s birthstone is the fascinating Opal – with printable

October is here

Reading up on gems for my Birthstone series hasn’t revealed what selection process was used to choose each month’s stone. (If you have an insight, I’d love to hear it!) Were opals and October paired because they both begin with the letter O? That seems very simplistic, but who knows? Whatever the reason, opal is the birthstone for October and it is a fascinating stone.

October Opal

Historically, opals were very rare and prized by royalty. The softest of all birthstones, opals are technically not considered a mineral but a mineraloid, and can be found deposited in fissures of other rocks like sandstone and basalt. Precious opals are known for their iridescence, or what’s called play of fire, because of how they refract the light. And since opals are such a soft stone, it’s important to handle with care and never use water or salt to clean.

Opal Birthstones

Opals have been mined and worn for thousands of years, and were considered a very lucky stone. However, in the late 1800s Opals were featured in Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Maiden of the Mist. In the story, the Baroness of Arnheim died soon after a drop of holy water fell on her Opal talisman. Because the novel was so popular, people began to view opals as a sign of bad luck, a superstition that sometimes still persists.

Opal Energy

Opal energy amplifies and can be utilized to help improve memory. People also use opals to enhance creativity, inspiration, and their connection to one’s higher self and the Divine.

History of Birthstones

In recent years, Birthstones have seen a resurgence in popularity. The history of birthstones can be traced back to the first century, with descriptions found in the book of Exodus. However, the society now known as Jewelers of America chose the modern birthstones we know today, with updates to the list in 1935. The U.S. list is very similar to the UK list and is the one I’ve chosen for this series.

October's birthstone is the fascinating Opal - with printable

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October's birthstone is the fascinating Opal - with printable

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