Did you know that October has two birthstones?
The autumnal month where we see leaves beginning to take on those magical, warm tones of red, yellow, and orange, also celebrates the change of season with the Opal gemstone, and the Tourmaline gemstone.
Let's start with Opal:
Many opals you see in modern jewelry feature lighter color hues with layers of white and blues. However, this mesmerizing gemstone also comes in a variety of shades, even some that mimic the colors of autumn.
The opal stone is a mineraloid created by the natural heating of silica gel found in the cracks in rocks.
Opals are categorized as common or precious opals. Precious opals come in a variety of colors throughout the stone, while common opal is traditionally opaque or translucent with hues of brown and orange.
As of the present day, Australia has produced 95 per cent of the world’s opals. This stone is also, mined in Brazil, Ethiopia, the Czech Republic, and parts of the U.S., including Nevada and Idaho.
The water content of opal gems can range from 3 to 21 percent with a hardness of only 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, making it a delicate gemstone that should be worn with extra care.
Despite its fragile nature, this October birthstone has remained a popular choice for centuries.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline gets its name from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which translates to “stone of mixed colors.” As its name suggests, tourmaline is known for its broad spectrum of colors. However, Because of its range of color, tourmaline has been confused with other gemstones throughout history.
Tourmaline has dated back centuries throughout history. The Spanish conquistadors found a tourmaline in Brazil. Native Americans, presenting tourmaline as funeral gifts to German villages naming black tourmaline before 1400.
This October birthstone is most commonly found in Brazil, but it is also mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya and Madagascar.
California and Maine are also historically important producers of fine tourmaline in the United States.
We have an exclusive collection of Tourmaline pieces designed and handcrafted right here at Skeie's Jewelers, such as this stunning, oval-cut tourmaline.
Tourmaline consists of complex minerals containing trace elements that produce distinct colors. This is how some tourmaline names differ from others. It also has a high rated durability of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it very wearable for day-to-day jewelry and alternative engagement rings.
Not sure which birthstone to go with?
- Are you or the wearer hard on your jewelry? Do you tend to prefer jewelry that you don't have to take off as often or be more careful with? If so, we recommend tourmaline, as it will be much more durable.
