October Birthstone – Opal and Tourmaline

October 4, 2017

For those born in October, you get to choose between two beautiful birthstones—tourmaline and opal. Each gem offers an array of color options that are sure to suit anyone’s personal tastes. The name “opal” originates from the Greek word opallios, which meant “to see a change in color. The name “tourmaline” comes from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which mean “stone of mixed colors.” It’s clear that with these two gems filled with colorful meaning and the array of colors that comes with the change of season, October babies are born into a colorful world.

According to Arabic legend, opals fell from the sky in bolts of lightning. Australian aborigines, meanwhile, believed that the creator came to earth on a rainbow, leaving these colorful stones where his feet touched the ground. Discoveries of opal deposits in Australia revived opal’s image after 1850. The outback began producing 95 percent of the world’s supply, and many of its finest opals.

Egyptian legend tells that tourmaline found its famed array of colors when, on its journey up from the earth’s center, it passed through a rainbow. Because of its colorful occurrences, tourmaline has been confused with other gems throughout history. Tourmaline is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S.—mainly Maine and California.

Have a colorful birthday October born!

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