03:45:00
October Gemstone: Opal, Pink Tourmaline
October Birthstone Color: Multi-color, Pink
October Birthstone Color: Multi-color, Pink
History of opal
Opals were greatly valued by ancient monarchs for their protective powers. They were worn as jewelry and in crowns to ward off evil and to protect the wearer's eyesight. The opal was also ingested in a ground-up powder to protect against nightmares.
Opals were greatly valued by ancient monarchs for their protective powers. They were worn as jewelry and in crowns to ward off evil and to protect the wearer's eyesight. The opal was also ingested in a ground-up powder to protect against nightmares.
Some types of opal do not display play of color. Among those there is the bulk of orange « fire », a green variety resembling chrysoprase called prase opal, and a blue green variety found in Peru.
Due to the sedimentary process resulting from the concentration of silica gel in evaporating seas, opal always contains an amount of water ranging from 3 to 10% of the total weight of the stone. This is the reason why it should be protected from heat or strong light, which can dry the water out, causing cracks.
Ancient opal came from mines in what is now Eastern Slovakia, but these deposits are now exhausted.
Since gold prospectors in Australia found the first pieces of precious opal in 1863, production increased to reach now 98% of the world market. Queen Victoria was one of the first to appreciate opals from this new source.
The brilliance of the play of color is the most important factor.
The colors seen and the pattern of the colors will also influence value.
Black opal, with a black to dark gray body color, has the most brilliant colors and is the most valuable. White and milky opals tend to have more diffused colors due to the light background color, thus making these qualities less expensive.
Opal with red fire is the most valued because the opal that shows red will also show the whole spectral colors when rotated.
The pattern of the play of color also influences value. Large flashes and broad patterns are rarer and more valuable than small pinpoint patterns.
Due to the sedimentary process resulting from the concentration of silica gel in evaporating seas, opal always contains an amount of water ranging from 3 to 10% of the total weight of the stone. This is the reason why it should be protected from heat or strong light, which can dry the water out, causing cracks.
Ancient opal came from mines in what is now Eastern Slovakia, but these deposits are now exhausted.
Since gold prospectors in Australia found the first pieces of precious opal in 1863, production increased to reach now 98% of the world market. Queen Victoria was one of the first to appreciate opals from this new source.
The brilliance of the play of color is the most important factor.
The colors seen and the pattern of the colors will also influence value.
Black opal, with a black to dark gray body color, has the most brilliant colors and is the most valuable. White and milky opals tend to have more diffused colors due to the light background color, thus making these qualities less expensive.
Opal with red fire is the most valued because the opal that shows red will also show the whole spectral colors when rotated.
The pattern of the play of color also influences value. Large flashes and broad patterns are rarer and more valuable than small pinpoint patterns.
Alternate Birthstone Pink Tourmaline
An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.
An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.
0 comments:
Post a Comment