Romancing the Stone: Birthstones & Gem Lure

October: Opal

Many people are unaware that Opal, one of October's birthstones, is Australia's national gemstone. With the 2000 Olympic Games taking place in Sydney, this kaleidoscope gemstone may become more popular than ever. Australia not only mines 95 per cent of the world's precious black and white opal but offers opals of many varieties used in jewelry, including milky opal, jelly opal, boulder opal, crystal opal and some fire opal.

Opals of all varieties have been used for everything from easing childbirth to bringing strength in battle. Long known as the Wish Stone, opal is supposed to promote love and romance and to grant wishes and personal happiness.

There was a time, in nineteenth century Britain, when opal was considered bad luck for anyone not born in October. This was largely because of Sir Walter Scott, who portrayed opal as bringing bad luck and death to one of his fictional heroines, Anne of Girstein. However, Queen Victoria, who adored opals, helped to dispel this notion by giving opals to all of her daughters, whether born in October or not. Thus, opal gained a wider popularity than ever, especially when the brighter gem and black opals from Australia became available.

The most common and affordable variety of opal is called milky opal or white opal because it show a play of color against a white opaque background. Colors can show as patches or as tiny flashes called 'pinfire' and are usually light and bright pinks and greens.

Jelly opals and crystal opals are transparent to translucent, and the play of color is a subtle sheen of color dancing through the gem, rather than color patches.

The most valuable opals, known as black or gem opals, feature large, luminescent areas of one or more bright colors against a dark background. Opals are rarely treated to enhance their color, however they can be quite delicate and should not be exposed to steam cleaning or excess acids. The best cleaning method is with a soft damp or dry cloth.

Opal has a long history, dating back to the pre-Roman times, when one variety of milky opal with patches of pastel red, blue and green was mined in what is now Hungary. The more familiar black opal or gem opal, with brilliant flashes of red, blue, green and gold, was not discovered until the late 19th century in Australia. Today opals are also mined in Mexico, Brazil, United States and Canada.

People born in October have tourmaline as another option for their birthstone. Like opal, tourmaline comes in a wide range of colors and sizes, ranging from dainty to huge, at virtually every price level. Also like opal, tourmaline is said to bring high energy, good luck, creativity and romance, depending on its color.

October babies are not the only ones who can enjoy the versatility and variety of opal and tourmaline rainbows available. Both gems are lovely to wear and easy to acquire.