The October Birthstone: All About Opal

Opal, the birthstone for October, is renowned for its unique fiery flashes that shimmer and dance in the light. If you're looking to flaunt this stunning gemstone, check out our collection of opal jewelry that effortlessly showcases its beauty.

What Is October’s Birthstone?

Opal is often considered the original gemstone, with its name derived from the Latin term for "precious stone." This iridescent gem exhibits a full spectrum of colors, from shimmering whites to dazzling rainbows.

However, did you know that October boasts a second birthstone? Tourmaline, a variant of silica, comes in a variety of shades, with the most prevalent being a lush green resembling the vivid emerald.

What Is Opal?

Opals can be categorized into two types: common and precious. The former exhibits a consistent milky-white or blue iridescence, while the latter is highly valued in jewelry for its spectacular rainbow flashes that are synonymous with the gemstone's allure.

Opal Birthstone Origins and History

Although opals are found in many places worldwide, the majority of the world's supply originates from Australia. Specifically, the Australian opal fields are responsible for 97% of all opals produced globally! Ever since their discovery in the 1800s, opals have played a significant role in Australian culture and continue to be a point of pride for the country. 

Opal Symbolism and Meaning

Opals are commonly believed to represent qualities such as hope, truth, and purity. Additionally, they are often associated with traits such as loyalty, faithfulness, and confidence. In certain cultures, opals are even thought to bring good fortune to those who possess them.

October Birthstone Colors and Appearance

Opals exhibit a diverse array of colors, ranging from white to black. While white remains the most sought-after hue, black opals are widely regarded as the rarest and most valuable. Typically, opals feature a milky base color with dazzling reflections of other colors that create a distinctive, shimmering effect. These "flashes" are the defining characteristic of opals and are responsible for their enchanting sparkle.

Why Does Opal Flash?

Opal is a gemstone consisting of amorphous silica and water. Its structure is comprised of silica layers arranged in a lattice formation, with stacked layers that are ideally suited to refract and diffract light, resulting in the distinctive rainbow effect that is synonymous with opals.

Due to its dense structure, visible light cannot permeate the entirety of an opal. Instead, the light interacts with the various silica layers and separates into a vivid spectrum of colors. This phenomenon, known as opalescence, is what gives opals their dazzling fire. The intensity of an opal's fire is typically graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most brilliant.

Types of Opal Jewelry

Today's market offers a wide variety of opal jewelry to suit every taste. From rings and earrings to necklaces and bracelets, the selection is abundant and diverse. Whether you prefer delicate and subtle pieces or bold and attention-grabbing ones, there is an opal jewelry item that will fit your personal style perfectly.

Opal rings

Opal rings are an excellent way to showcase the dazzling beauty of October's birthstone. With every gesture and movement of your fingers, the opals in your ring catch the light in just the right way, creating a mesmerizing sparkle that is unmatched. Opal rings truly shine like no other piece of jewelry.

Opal Necklaces

Looking for a piece of jewelry that will turn heads? Look no further than an opal necklace with a sizable center stone. With its unique color dispersal pattern, no two opals are alike, making your necklace one of a kind and impossible to replicate. Prepare to steal the show with this stunning piece of opal jewelry. 

Opal Earrings

For those who can't get enough of opals, opal earrings are the perfect accessory to add to your collection.

Not only do they add a touch of glamour and sophistication to any outfit, but they also enhance the color of your eyes with their multi-hued sparkle.

This October, embrace the chilly weather by bundling up in a cozy scarf and showcasing your new opal earrings. Let the opalescent fire within you shine bright and light up the city!

What Are Fire Opals?

While fire opals share the same internal structure as their more popular counterparts, their unique color characteristics set them apart. Unlike the milky white opals that most people are familiar with, fire opals boast warm hues ranging from yellow to orange or red, hence their name. And if you catch them at the right angle, they may even flash a hint of green.

These stunning gems are sure to make a statement and add a touch of fiery elegance to any jewelry collection.

How Is Opal Cut?

While other gemstones rely on their cut to sparkle, opals are unique in that they are rounded and polished to showcase their internal facets. This allows the gemstone's impressive play of color to shine through. With every movement, opals display a mesmerizing array of hues, making them one of the most dynamic gemstones out there. No two opals are alike, making opal jewelry truly one-of-a-kind and a must-have for any jewelry collection.

Opals can be mounted in three popular ways: solid opal, doublet, and triplet.

• Solid opal: This type of opal is natural and is cut and polished to showcase its natural opalescence. The best quality opals are often cut as solid opals. At James Allen, all of our opal jewelry is set with solid opals.
• Doublet: A doublet is made up of two layers - a rounded opal slice on top and a black backing beneath it. The dark backing enhances the natural color of the opal, making it appear brighter.
• Triplet: A triplet consists of three layers - a black backing, a flat opal slice in the middle, and a rounded glass layer on top. The black backing brightens the opal's colors, and the glass layer protects the soft surface of the opal.

What Jewelry Metals Look Good With Opal?

Opals are a unique blend of colors. While their base color is typically milky white and neutral, the fire within opals displays a pure and mesmerizing rainbow of colors. This color variation makes opal jewelry a stunning choice for any occasion or setting. To enhance the beauty of your opal jewelry, we recommend matching the metal of your jewelry to the dominant color of your opal. Although any jewelry metal can enhance the beauty of opal, here are some of our specific suggestions:

• Milky white opal: yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, or platinum
• Blue opal: white gold or platinum
• Fire opal: yellow gold or rose gold

How To Care For Opals

Opals require a cleaning process similar to that of gold and platinum. Since opals are relatively soft gemstones with a Moh's hardness grade of 6.5, it's important to handle them with care. To clean your opal, mix a few drops of dish soap in a cup of warm water. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture and gently scrub your opal to remove any dirt or residue. Opals are safe to be placed in water, so you can rinse your stone under the faucet after cleaning it.

In Summary,

Opal is a gemstone with gentle, ever-changing colors that make it truly unique.

As the birthstone for October, opals make an ideal gift for an autumn birthday. Surprise your loved one with a burst of color that will brighten up their day as the fall days grow shorter and darker.

With opals, each stone is as special and one-of-a-kind as the person receiving it.