October Birthstone

October Birthstone

The October birthstone is the opal.

Opal is a mineral gel deposited at low temperature in the fissures of rock. The gel is a water ann mineral mixture with water making up about tem percent of the mixture. The word opal comes from the Latin opalus meaning stone. Some of the most interesting opals were formed when fossils formed giving shape to the opal structure and sparkle to the fossil!

There are many varieties of opal, and it has many colors and a visible structure. The "common" opal is usually white and green and is amorphous, no specific crystal structure. Opals may be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black - you name it!! Red on black is the least common nad most expensive. White and green opals are the most common.

"Fire" opal is almost translucent and is yellow to bright orange. "Peruvian opal" is a semi-opaque blue-green stone found in Peru.

About 500 years ago, the opal was thought to bring the wearer good luck because it was believed to have the good luck of all other gemstones.

The opal has been said to have healing powers, to cure depression, and to help find the true love!!!

Opals are the national gem of Australia.

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