October’s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
The month of October is ruled by the planet of Venus and by the charming sign of Libra. Those born in October are strongly motivated by a desire for justice and must create harmony in all areas of their lives. They are classified as the “Peacemakers” in Divine Astrology. They are known for their gentle personality, sense of diplomacy, and natural savoir faire. Those born in October possess a strong psychological aptitude and do well in real estate, the food industry, the stock market, interior design, marriage counselling, and the arts in general. The birthstones for those born in October are the magnificent Opalescent stone and Tourmaline, both known for the variety of colours they radiate- one encompassing all colours within itself, the other available in a wide spectrum of stunning hues.
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl, and basalt. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia.
The internal structure of precious opal makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it was formed, it can take on many colours. Precious opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, black opals are the rarest, while white and greens are the most common. Opals vary in optical density from opaque to semitransparent.
The origin of the word Opal has been debated for years now. It is believed to be adapted from the Roman term opalus, yet most modern references suggest it is adapted from the Sanskrit word úpala. References to the gem are made by Pliny the Elder. Opal is also suggested to have been adapted from Ops, the wife of Saturn and goddess of fertility. Another common claim is that the term is adapted from the Greek word, opallios, which has two meanings- one is related to “seeing” and forms the basis of English words such as “opaque”; the other is “other” or “alias” and “alter”. Perhapsopalus combined these uses, meaning “to see a change in colour”.
Glowing Opal & Blue Topaz Drops
In the Middle Ages, Opal was considered a stone that could provide great luck because it was believed to possess all the virtues of other gemstones whose colours were represented in the colour spectrum of the opal. It was also said to confer the power of invisibility if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and held in the hand.
In ancient times, the Opal was known as the Queen of Gems because it encompassed the colours of all other gems. Each Opal is truly one-of-a-kind- as unique as our fingerprints. Some prefer the calming flashes of blues and greens; others love the bright reds and yellows. With its rainbow of colours, as you turn and move the Opal the colour plays and shifts, giving you a gem that can be worn with a plethora of ensembles.
Australia’s Lightning Ridge is known for its rare and stunning black Opals. The ideal Opal is one that displays broad patterns covering the surface, with all the colours of the rainbow, including red. Since Opals are the most individual gemstone with its range of colours be sure to choose one that showcases your colour preference and pattern.
In oriental lore, Opals are said to bring good status and reputation in society; it helps in getting rid of litigations and debts. It also enhances the already attractive personality of those born in October. It is believed the opals can rid the home of problems, thus establishing the balance that is so desirous to October borns. Opals are also said to enhance marital prospects. Those in the field of arts are said to benefit from wearing Opals as they gemstone helps enhance creativity.
Available in a spectrum of colours and colour combinations, Tourmaline lives up to its name, which means “mixed stone”. With a rainbow of colours, Tourmaline can easily enhance any jewelry collection. Cranberry red, hot magenta, bubblegum pink, peach and orange, canary yellow, mint, grass and forest green, ocean blue, violet: Tourmaline is all of these and more.
Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, orpotassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gemstone comes in a wide variety of colours. The name comes from the Tamil and Sinhalese word “Turmali”.Brightly coloured Sri Lankan gem tourmalines were brought to Europe in great quantities by the Dutch East India Company to satisfy a demand for curiosities and gems. Tourmaline was sometimes called the “Ceylonese [Sri Lankan] Magnet” because it could attract and then repel hot ashes due to its pyroelectric properties.
Tourmaline is also known for displaying several colours in one gemstone. These bi-colour or tri-colour gems are formed in many combinations and are highly prized. One multi-colour variety is known as Watermelon Tourmaline and features green, pink, and white colour bands. To resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge.
Dragonfly Inspired Studs
Tourmaline is called Vaikrant in Sanskrit and Shobhamani in Hindi. This sub-stone is found in all the colours present in nature, thus earning the name ‘Colour Cocktail’.
In the middle ages, Tourmalines were used for mental and physical treatment. It was believed that wearing tourmalines cures leprosy, diseases of the stomach and respiratory nerves, tuberculosis, fever etc. It is said to keep hormones and nervous system balanced.
Like Opals, Tourmalines are also believed to bring peace and stability. Fear, negative energies, and sorrows are said to abate with Tourmalines.
Tourmalines are inexpensive alternative gemstones for precious gems of similar colours. With few negative impacts of wearing these sparklers, they also act as reassuring replacements for those who believe in gemstone lore.
Multi Color Tourmaline Necklace
Whether it is in search of balance and equilibrium in life, or to enhance creative energies, or perhaps to enjoy the multicoloured hues of Opals and Tourmalines, we, at Gehna, never disappoint. Explore the range of jewellery you can create for yourself which these beautiful gems and bring come colour and vibrance to your lives with the able guidance of our gemologists, designers, and master craftsmen.
View our Opal Jewellery Collection: Opal Silver Jewellery | Opal 18K Gold Earring | Opal Earring
