Celebrating Opal – the birthstone for October
October’s birthstone is Opal. It is subtle in beauty and diverse in colour, perfect for October birthdays and anniversaries.
Owing to the diversity of shapes, sizes and colours, we create most Opal jewellery by bespoke design. To explain, no two Opals are the same. Furthermore, the colours vary from white to black with variations in orange from Fire Opals.
Example of a Fire Opal and diamond halo ring – made by bespoke design at Serendipity Diamonds
What is Opal?
Opal forms from a solution of silicon dioxide and water. Water flows through the earth and collects Silica from sandstone.
A Silica-rich solution falls into cracks and voids, caused by natural faults. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a silica deposit. Over a long period, Opal forms.
Example of a re-created Antique Opal and diamond ring. Antique design with ornate back. From the Bespoke Opal ring collection created by the team at Serendipity Diamonds.
Where is Opal mined?
October’s birthstone, Opal, comes from many different countries. These include Australia, Ethiopia, Mexico and the USA. In addition, from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil and Indonesia.
Black Opal
Black opals are truly unique gemstones, setting themselves apart with their dark, almost ebony backgrounds. Unlike their more common counterparts, black opals boast a deep, rich body tone that spans from a mysterious dark grey to an intense jet black.
Their mesmerising display of spectral colours elevates these gemstones to a league of their own. Their vibrant, dynamic array of hues —stunning reds, electric blues, and lush greens —creates a visual spectacle that is nothing short of breathtaking. This occurs due to the diffraction of light within microscopic layers of silica spheres in the opal.
Consequently, a striking interplay of spectral colours emerges against the dark canvas. Originating primarily from Australia’s renowned Lightning Ridge region, black opals command attention and hold immense value as some of the world’s most coveted gemstones.
October Birthstone Gift Inspiration
Brand New Opal Necklace and Matching Stud Earrings
Available to purchase separately.
Brand new for October 2021 – opal and diamond stud earrings. Crafted in 9ct Yellow Gold, each stud holds a Opal measuring 4mm. The earrings arrive by secure courier in our gift packaging.
Our new Opal necklace is also available and in stock. Matching perfecting to the stud earrings, the pendant has also been crafted in 9ct Yellow Gold. With a central Opal measuring 5mm surrounded by contrasting diamonds.
Transforming an Opal Ring into a Necklace
Part of our work at Serendipity involves re-modelling Opal jewellery. Opal remains very delicate and fragile, and is subject to greater risk from breakage when unset from old or existing jewellery designs. However, broken Opals can often be reset using resin as one technique to restore damaged or broken Opal jewellery. Over the years, we have remodelled many Opal jewellery designs. An example appears below—a remodelled Opal ring, transformed with a halo of diamonds and Aquamarines into a bespoke Opal necklace.
Opal Trilogy for October’s Birthstone
A recent bespoke commission, one diamond and two opals set within a trellis-style setting. Based on theCiel ring design.
Firstly, our client chose a beautiful combination of a single lab-grown ethical diamond set between two iridescent white opals. The entire ring was crafted in 950 Platinum. At the centre of the design, anideal-cut lab-grown diamondmeasures 5mm in diameter (0.50-carats) graded D colour and VS2 clarity with full certification provided for the diamond.
Antique Opal & Diamond Ring
Our client’s brief involved recreating an existing vintage opal-and-diamond ring design. For the new commission, we initially sourced alarge cabochonoval opal weighing 3.32 carats. As already explained, opals vary immensely in their size, shape, colour and variation of colours.
For this reason, we sourced a large selection of gemstones for our clients to choose from. Cabochon gems provide a distinctive domed appearance. In this exceptional example, the colours varied from reds to greens.
Caring for Opal. How delicate is October’s birthstone?
Opal’s toughness can be described as poor to fair—5-6.5 on Mohs scale of hardness. Most importantly, Opal does not respond well to changes in temperature. For example, intense heat can craze the surface. Moreover, Opal does fairly well over time in dry conditions. For this reason, we recommend cleaning in gentle warm soapy water. Also, we suggest an Opal necklace or pair of Opal earrings rather than an Opal ring.
Opal rings often receive wear through damage whilst on the h
and. Unlike rings, both pendants and earrings avoid similar wear. For this reason, they are the perfect luxury gift for an October birthday or anniversary.
Contact our friendly team for information on creating the perfect piece of Opal jewellery.
Tourmaline Gemstone – October’s Second Birthstone
October’s commonly known birthstone is the Opal. However, contrary to popular belief, people born in this month are lucky to have Tourmaline added to their birthstone.
What Is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale, with many shades of this unusual, beautiful gemstone available, such as red, pink, greens, watermelon, brown, and yellow. Interestingly, this gemstone is one of the only stones available in various shades and colours. Therefore, making it a versatile gemstone with many options available to create a special jewellery item.
Tourmaline Engagement Rings
The Cherry Pink Tourmaline engagement ring bursts with vibrant colour from a natural Pink Tourmaline with an intense dark pink colouration; the Tourmaline measures 4mm in diameter, with a carat weight of 0.25cts or above.
Shown alongside the bespoke cushion-cut teal tourmaline ring, originally crafted with a 6 x 5mm, weighing 1.18 carats. In addition to brilliant white round brilliant diamonds, weighing 0.25cts GVS colour and clarity.
Tourmaline’s chemical composition directly influences its physical properties and is responsible for its colour. Commonly comprised of aluminium and boron but contain a mixture of other elements such as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, chromium, vanadium, fluorine and sometimes copper.
Healing Properties
Tourmaline – thought to heal a broken heart, as it encourages love, gently disperses emotional pain and dissolves disruptive feelings. It calms the negative emotions that upset relationships.
Also considered an aphrodisiac, helping people realise when it is safe to love and when it is time to overcome sorrow or traumatic memories.
Watermelon Tourmaline
In addition to tourmaline’s wide range of colours and shades, watermelon tourmaline is also a very popular option for this precious stone.
As the name suggests, watermelon tourmalines feature a red/pink centre with green hues around the sides. All coloured Tourmaline display pleochroism, meaning the colour changes greatly when viewed at different angles.
In some Tourmaline gems, this effect is hardly noticeable, while in others it is a strong contrast. The brightly coloured zones can also occur at either end of the gem.
Mint Green
Available from the loose gemstone section.
Highly unusual tourmaline – due to the mint green shade and the fancy round cut of the stone itself. Weighing 3.78cts and measuring 9.8mm in diameter x 6.9mm in depth.
Available to purchase as a loose gemstone or for enquiries on a set and finished item of jewellery.
Pear Tourmaline Pendant
Lastly, making a perfect gift for October’s birthstone – Halo pear shape green tourmaline drop pendant.
Handcrafted in 9ct white gold, featuring a 1.95-carat natural green tourmaline pear-shaped gemstone.
Set within a pear-shaped halo of round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.30 carats in weight, graded F colour and VS clarity. The necklace is featured among our individual one-of-a-kind jewellery items available with fast delivery.
Fact File:
- Formation: Opals form when silica-rich water seeps into crevices and solidifies over millions of years, often preserving remnants of ancient organisms.
- Opal’s Association with October: Opal is the birthstone for October, making it a popular choice for jewellery gifts for those born in this month.
- Historical Significance: Surrounded by superstitions and beliefs. In the past, opals were considered lucky.
- Opal Mining Locations: Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy and Andamooka in Australia.
- Care and Maintenance: Avoid exposure to excessive heat or sudden temperature changes.
- Delicate gemstone cleaning solutions do exist. For example, Connoisseurs create a specialised cleaning fluid for delicate gemstones such as Opals.
About Mark Johnson
Mark founded Isle of Wight jewellers Serendipity Diamonds in 2007 after a career in the polished diamonds industry. Today he works in the Serendipity showroom, helping clients with jewellery, creating handmade designs and updating their two jewellery websites SerendipityDiamonds.com and Isle-of-Wight-Jewellery.co.uk
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