Opal
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Origin : |
Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, Central Europe, Honduras, Indonesia, Madagascar, Peru, Turkey, and the United States. |
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Birthstone : |
October |
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14th Wedding Anniversary Gift |
The name of this, the traditional October birthstone, is believed to have originated in India – the source of the first opals brought to the Western world, where in Sanskrit it was called “upala”, a “precious stone”. In ancient Rome, this became “opalus”.
Most opals are valued for their shifting colours in rainbow hues – a phenomenon known as “play-of-colour”. The October birthstone’s dramatic play-of-colour has inspired writers to compare it to fireworks, galaxies, and volcanoes. Bedouins once believed opal held lightning and fell from the sky during thunderstorms. Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease. Europeans long maintained opal to be a symbol of purity, hope, confidence, and truth. Hundreds of years ago, opal was believed to embody the virtues and powers of all coloured stones.
Because of their unique smooth but fiery look, opals are most often polished in the cabochon style – a style where a gem is shaped and polished instead of faceted.
Opal is also the stone given to celebrate the 14th wedding anniversary.
