Opal:
October’s Gemstone
There are more than a dozen varieties of fiery and iridescent opals. In fact,
its tremendous color spectrum is the major reason for the opal’s mysterious
attractiveness. The most popular have a white body color with flashes of many
colors or “fire.”
Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. In the
Middle Ages, young fair-haired girls wore opals in their hair to protect its
lovely blond color. Medieval writers believed the opal could render its wearer
invisible when the need arose. The ancient Romans believed the opal was the king
of gems because it held within itself all the colors of the rainbow.
Opal is accepted for October birthdays and is the gemstone for 14th
anniversaries. Sources are Australia, Mexico and the U.S.A.