Oct 21, 2020
The opal - allthingsclipart.com
What is the Birthstone for October? This old poem and article from birthdaygems.orgprovides the answer!
The Opal
"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."
Properties of the Opal
For those who were born in the month of October the Opal is the traditional birthstone. The October birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the Opal is associated - hope, innocence and purity. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the October Birthstone Opal arehappiness, faithfulness, loyalty and confidence. The healing properties of the October birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the eyes and eye infections. The Opal is also used to enhance visualization, imagination, dreams and healing.
Zodiac Sign
The twelve Zodiac signs are an astrological version of birthstones in addition to the twelve calendar months. The October birthstone of the Opal is considered to be the birthstone for Libra (The sign of the Scales) and relate to those born between October 24 and November 22. The Zodiac sign of Libra also responds to Peridot, Agate Aquamarine, Tourmaline and Sapphire.
Where are Opals found?
The popular October gemstone is found in the following countries:Australia, Mexico and the U.S.
Color
The name opal actually means "to see a change in color." The opal occurs in several types of color. The White opal has a white body color with pastel glints of rainbow color. Black opal has a blue, gray or black body color. The black Boulder opal contains ironstone. Crystal or water opal is a term used for a transparent to translucentopalmaterial that has a play-of-color within the stone. The transparent or colorless opal contains brilliant flashes of color within it. Fire opal is a transparent or a translucent opal with a yellow, orange or red body color that may also have a flash of color.
Definition
The word Opal is derived from the Latin word "opalus" which means "a stone". The precious opal presents a peculiar play of colors of delicate tints, and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called the harlequin opal. The fire opal has colors like the red and yellow of flame. The Common opal has a milky appearance. Menilite is a brown impure variety, occurring in concretions at Menilmontant, near Paris. Other varieties are cacholong, girasol, hyalite, and geyserite. The crystal structure of the Opal (hydrous silicon dioxide), the October birthstone, is Amorphous. Opal miners restrict use of the term opal to precious opal, calling material that does not show a good play of colors, 'potch'.
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