October Birthstone Spotlight

October’s birthstones are OPAL and PINK TOURMALINE!

Found in Australia, Mexico and the U.S., opals symbolize hope, innocence, and purity. This symbolism influenced the belief that opals aided children, encouraged friendships and feelings, and supported those in theater and amusement professions. Opals have been used as a talisman against evil spirits and one medieval belief said they could render a wearer invisible when needed.

Opals come in two varieties; white opal has a light body color with flashes of many colors and black opal has a dark body with flashes of red, pink, and bright green.

Opal is a fragile gemstone and care should be taken to protect it against scratches and hard blows. Avoid using household cleaners and extreme temperature changes. Clean only with a soft cloth and never use an ultrasonic machine or jewelry cleaner.

An alternate, but accepted, birthstone for October is pink tourmaline. It has the widest range of colors of any gemstone. Tourmaline can be found in reds, greens, blues, and all sorts of combinations of those colors.

Tourmaline is believed to be a healing stone and when worn as an amulet, it will bring you friends and lovers.

To clean your tourmaline, use lukewarm soapy water and a small bristle brush. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine. Be sure to remove your tourmaline jewelry before engaging in housework, gardening, or sports to protect it against sharp blows and scratches.