Windsor, California
Windsor, California
Those born in October enjoy two spectacular birthstones to commemorate their birthdays – opal and tourmaline. Both October birthstones have endless color combinations and beautiful coloring characteristics. Learn more about these two October birthstones and discover the perfect gift for those born in the tenth month.
The name of this, the traditional October birthstone, is believed to have originated in India (the source of the first opals brought to the Western world), where in Sanskrit it was called upala, a “precious stone." .” In ancient Rome, this became opalus. Most opals are valued for their shifting colors in rainbow hues – a phenomenon known as “play-of-color.”
The October birthstone’s dramatic play-of-color has inspired writers to compare it to fireworks, galaxies and volcanoes. Bedouins once believed opal held lightning and fell from the sky during thunderstorms. Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease. Europeans long maintained opal to be a symbol of purity, hope and truth. Hundreds of years ago, opal was believed to embody the virtues and powers of all colored stones.
Opal is also the stone given to celebrate the 14th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline is the newer October birthstone. The name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors,” because it often has multiple colors in one crystal. Very few gems match tourmaline’s dazzling array of colors. Perhaps this is why ancient mystics believed this October birthstone could inspire artistic expression – it has a color palette for every mood. Among the most popular are the pink and red rubellites, the emerald green “chrome” tourmalines, and the neon green and blue-to-violet “paraíba” tourmalines.
Because of its vast range of colors, tourmaline was often mistaken for other gemstones One of the “rubies” in the Russian crown jewels, the “Caesar’s Ruby” pendant, is actually red (rubellite) tourmaline. A Spanish conquistador found green tourmaline crystals in Brazil in the 1500s and confused the stones with emerald. These and other cases of mistaken identity continued for centuries until scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species in the 1800s.
Different colors of tourmaline are thought to have their own healing properties. Black tourmaline is believed to protect the wearer and give a sense of self-confidence. Pink tourmaline embodies love and is associated with compassion and gentleness. Green tourmaline promotes courage, strength and stamina. Tourmaline is given to celebrate the eighth wedding anniversary.
14k white gold pendant Bezel set black opal doublet with iridescent hues of blue and green 1 round brilliant, colorless, natural diamond, .015 car...
View full detailsOpal and diamond, 14k yellow gold double gallery, split shank, ring. Natural crystal opal, oval shaped cabochon center stone, .85 estimated carat ...
View full detailsBlack opal and diamond 18 karat white gold ring. Oval shaped, 1.2 carat, natural green/blue black opal. Six round brilliant, Si clarity, near colo...
View full detailsPetal shaped crystal opal and diamond 14 karat white gold ring. Four pear shaped crystal opals totaling .80 carats. One round brilliant, near colo...
View full detailsCrescent shaped 14 karat gold (XRF verified) and opal estate pendant. Five round cabochon crystal opals totaling an estimated .20 carats. Pendant ...
View full detailsPair of 6 mm round cabochon, blue/green, natural Ethiopian opals weighing .96 carats. Bezel set in 14 karat white gold. 14 karat white gold ear po...
View full detailsPair of 10 mm round, 5 carat total weight, green/blue, natural Ethiopian, cabochon drop earrings. Bezel set in 14 karat yellow gold. 14 karat yell...
View full detailsPair of 6.5 mm round cabochon, blue/green, Ethiopian natural opals. Bezel set in 22 karat gold. 14 karat yellow gold ear post and premium friction...
View full detailsBlue/green natural Ethiopian opal drop earrings. Bezel set in 22k gold. 14 karat gold leverback ear hooks.
1.2 carat, oval pink tourmaline center stone. .50 CTW natural diamonds, I1 clarity, near colorless. Finger size 6.25.
Pair of pink tourmaline, 4 mm, round brilliant, 14 karat yellow gold stud earrings. .52 carat total tourmaline weight. 14 karat yellow gold marti...
View full detailsPair of 6 mm, round brilliant, sea green colored tourmaline, 14 karat white gold stud earrings. 1.78 carat total weight. 14 karat white gold, mart...
View full details14 karat yellow gold bezel set opal and diamond pendant. Lightning ridge, black opal, Blue/green coloring, 3.38 carats. 2 round brilliant, colorle...
View full details14.62 carat Ethiopian blue/green,pear shaped cabochon, natural opal. 36 round brilliant, G color, SI clarity natural diamonds @ .39 CTW. 14 karat ...
View full detailsBlue/green boulder opal two tone 18 karat yellow and white gold ring. Bezel set 1.05 carat boulder opal. Finger size 7.0
Expertly designed and crafted, this boulder opal and diamond bypass ring boasts a bezel set 4.3 carat boulder opal and 14 round brilliant, natural ...
View full detailsExpertly crafted from 18 karat yellow gold, this hinged bangle bracelet boasts a stunning rainbow gradient of 30 channel-set semi precious gemstone...
View full details14 karat gold cross pendant with 2.7 mm cabachon crystal opal center encircled with filligree. 24 mm length x 13.5 mm width x 4.3 mm thickness, ....
View full detailsThese exquisite earrings feature two 6.5mm pink tourmaline trillion gems with a combined weight of 1.5 carats set in 14k white gold. The stones a...
View full detailsThis contemporary 14 karat solid yellow gold estate ring features a 1.75 carat (estimated) elongated emerald cut green tourmaline center stone fram...
View full detailsThis 14 karat white gold ring features three elegantly cut oval shaped fire opals accompanied by two glimmering natural accent diamonds totaling 0....
View full detailsThis beautiful estate ring features an oval natural crystal cabachon opal measuring approximately .50 carats, and two near colorless , I1 clarity r...
View full detailsThis impressive 6.5 carat cabachon cut crystal opal is set in an estate 14 karat two-tone yellow and white gold freeform ring with a flared ribbon ...
View full detailsThis stylish .33 carat opal and diamond halo pendant is crafted in 14 karat white gold and features a cushion-shaped halo with a lovely round blue,...
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