There are two different birthstones that October babies can enjoy, tourmaline and opal. Tourmaline can be found in almost any color in the rainbow, and opals are also quite unique because they can be found in distinct color combinations.
Everything You Need to Know About Tourmaline
Tourmaline can be found in almost any shade or hue, and the name translates to “mixed stone” to describe the colors it can represent. Tourmaline can be bright pink, peach, orange, vivid yellow, bright green, ocean blue, purple, deep red, mint and more. There can even be double and triple-colored stones that combine multiple shades into one stone.
Tourmaline was first discovered in the early 1700s by Dutch traders off of the coast of Italy. Originally, tourmaline stones that were red and pink were mistakenly thought to be rubies. One example of this can be found in the Russian crown jewels. The crown was originally thought to be decorated with rubies, but now many experts believe they are tourmaline stones instead.
In ancient times, tourmaline stones were used for many different purposes. Creatives thought that the gem helped them to think of good ideas for paintings and artworks. People in India believed that the stone could help to increase their awareness and insight. Alchemists thought tourmaline was related to the philosopher’s stone and prized it a great deal as a result.
Everything You Need to Know About Opal
Opal is one of the most remarkable birthstones, as it has a full spectrum of shifting colors that cover the whole rainbow. Many people have compared it to fireworks and the starry night sky. Opal can be found in Australia, Honduras, Indonesia, Madagascar, Turkey and even the United States.
Opals have been treasured for centuries, as the stone was known as upala (precious stone) in Sanskrit and prized in ancient Rome as opalus as well. Ancient Greeks believed that opals could help the user to see the future and protect them from disease. In Medieval Europe, they thought that opal could serve as a bringer of truth, hope and purity, so it was prized by clergy.
Opal stones are between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so you should use caution when storing it alongside harder gemstones like sapphires, rubies, diamonds and emeralds. You should also avoid storing it in a damp environment that might weaken the stone or any fillers inside of it.
Find Out the Value of Your Tourmaline or Opal
Whether you have a family jewelry piece you are interested in learning the value of or you’re looking to expand your collection, SAZ Gem & Jewelry Appraisal is here to help. For more information, give us a call at 425-785-1871.