The Opal: October Birthstone

History, legend and gemstone lore

Legend has it that the Opal was born as the Creator came down to earth on a rainbow. When his foot touched the ground the stones became alive and sparkled with all the colors of the rainbow. The word opal comes from the Sanskrit upala for "valuable stone", the Greek opallios for "color change", and the Latin opalus or "precious stone. Although extremely rare up to the mid 19th century a large discovery of Opal in Australia has made them one of the most popular gemstones.

Source, Composition and Jewelry Variety

Opals are not a true mineral, but a mineraloid gel composed of hydrated silicon dioxide. Opals are found a multitude of varieties and colors. Many colors can often be seen at once due the interference and diffraction of light passing though the microstructure of the opal. Since Opals have a high water content, they should be gently cared for and not exposed to extreme fluctuations in heat, or humidity. Do not store them in extremely dry conditions over the long term. Nearly all of the worlds jewelry opals come from the Australian outback.

Buying Opal Jewelry

Most jewelers will carry a selection of opal jewelry, selling attractive jewelry for anywhere from one hundred to a several hundred dollars. You can find a wide selection of Opal jewelry and other gemstone jewelry from reputable jewelers and online jewelry stores.

Be sure to Compare Jewelry Stores

For rare varieties and unique gemstone jewelry it may be best to find a specialty custom jeweler who can source fine gems and customize your jewelry. We can help. You may also wish to try buying opal birthstone jewelry (Sponsor Link) from a reputable online store which carries a variety of birthstone and gemstone jewelry.