Best Damn Jewelry

October is such a great month to be born that it has two birthstones! The Opal and the Pink Tourmaline.

Opal is the traditional birthstone for the month of October.

Pink Tourmaline is the alternate birthstone.  Jewelers often recommend using the Pink Tourmaline gem in place of the Opal for pronged settings.

Opal Gemstones

The Opal has a vast and long history.  Opal is derived from the Latin word “opalus” which means precious jewel.  In Roman times it was known as “Cupid Paederos” which means a child of beautiful love.

Due to their unique ability to refract and reflect light, Opals were once thought to have mystical protective powers.  Ancient lore claimed the Opal fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.  Kings and Queens were so fascinated by them that they set their Royal Jewels including crowns with Opals to ward off evil.

Giving the gift of Opal symbolizes confidence and faithfulness.

Opal Care:

• Protect from heat, rapid temperature changes and harsh chemicals – Most precious opals contain about 5-6% water, which can lead to the gem drying and could result in cracks and loss of iridescence in your beautiful opal.
• Treat your opal very carefully to avoid damage.  Opals are a soft gem, around the same hardness as glass (approx. 6.5 on the MoH hardness scale).

Opal Cleaning:

• Using a soft toothbrush or cloth, clean gently with mild detergent in warm water.  Avoid bleach, chemicals and cleaners.
• Never clean your opal in an ultrasonic cleaner.  The vibrations may cause cracking.
• If your opal has small scratches or scuff marks, head to a professional gem polisher.  Professional polishing will bring new life to a dull stone.

Pink Tourmaline

Opals aren’t the only magical gemstone.  The Pink Tourmaline has Ancient pizazz of it’s own.  Pyroelectricity Pizazz! This gem has the ability to take on a static electric charge, which makes it capable of attracting lightweight objects.

Pink Tourmaline was believed to help stimulate the creative processes of it’s wearer and was referred to as the “Stone of the Muse”.

The Pink Tourmaline is much harder than the opal and is usually the stone used for the October stone in ring settings.

Giving the gift of Pink Tourmaline symbolizes hope.

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