October babies have the luck of having two beautiful birthstones to celebrate this month, Opal and Tourmaline. Read below for info, tips and designs featuring these two stunning stones.
Opal
Most commonly known birthstone for October, opal is truly as unique a gemstone as they come. In fact, no two opals are exactly alike. The stunning play of color given off by an opal is caused by light diffracting off of tiny spheres arranged in a variety of patterns that make up the stone.
Because of its ability to display a variety of colors, the opal has longed believed to be the luckiest and most powerful of all stones. Arabic legends say it falls from the heavens in flashes of lightning; the ancient Greeks believed opals gave the owners the gift of prophecy and guarded them from disease.
Artists and writers have also gained inspiration from this unique stone, comparing it to volcanoes, galaxies and fireworks.
Caring for your opal: Opals are a more delicate stone and must be taken care of properly to maintain its luster. Wearing opal as earrings or pendants are recommended as they will be less exposed to wear and tear than if set in a ring. Clean your opal in warm water with a mild detergent using a soft brush or cloth. Prevention is the best way to take care of your gems, so consider your lifestyle and where you would wear your opal piece if you decide to celebrate your birthday with one. Keeping these in mind will be well worth having a dazzling opal for years to come.
Tourmaline
The second birthstone, tourmaline is also unique in that it comes in a large variety of colors and is sometimes multi-colored. Very few gems can compare to the tourmaline’s dazzling range of colors. From rich reds, to pastel pinks and peach colors, intense greens to vivid yellows and deep blues, the diversity of this gem’s color range is unmatched. A special type of multi-colored tourmaline with green on the outside and pink on the inside is appropriately named the watermelon tourmaline.
In general, tourmaline has been said to be a powerful detoxification stone that invites positive energy. In traditional Hindu belief systems, tourmaline is thought to balance the energies within the body.
Caring for your tourmaline: Unlike opal, tourmaline is rather durable and is well suited for all types of jewelry. It does help to wipe it down with a mild soap and warm water every once in a while as they do tend to collect dust particles.
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