October Birthstone: 10 Fun Facts (Opal)
10 Fascinating Facts About Opals – Why We Love These Unique Gems (with a Few Caveats!)
A Rainbow of Colours: Opals are famous for their mesmerising play-of-colour, displaying flashes of vibrant hues like red, blue, green, and purple. No two opals are the same, making each one as unique as a fingerprint.
October’s Birthstone: Opals hold the honour of being October’s birthstone. They make a meaningful and personal gift for anyone born in this month, carrying a history of mystique and beauty.
“October's child is born for woe, And life's vicissitudes must know, But lay an opal on her breast, And hope will lull those woes to rest.”
Precious Water Content: Opals are composed of up to 20% water, which contributes to their delicate structure. This also means they are sensitive to heat, dehydration, and sudden temperature changes—hence why we handle them with extra care.
A Softer Stone: Opals, with a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, are considerably softer than sapphires or diamonds. This characteristic makes them more susceptible to scratches and damage. Due to their delicate nature, we advise against using opals in engagement rings or other pieces meant for daily wear, as they are less likely to withstand the rigours of everyday use. Instead opals are perfect for cocktail rings or fine occasion wear; they are sure to add a layer of mystique to your evening outfit!
An Ancient Gemstone: Opals have been prized for thousands of years, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient Roman and Greek times. The Romans believed opals were the most precious and powerful gemstones, offering protection and foresight.
Australia – The Opal Capital of the World: Australia is the largest producer of opals, particularly famous for its black opals, which are highly sought after for their deep, dark body colour and bright play-of-colour.
Symbolism of Creativity: Opals are believed to inspire creativity and originality, making them popular among artists and free spirits. Historically, they’ve been connected to good fortune, love, and passion.
Fire Opals – A Fiery Difference: Not all opals display a play-of-colour. Fire opals, mostly found in Mexico, exhibit a vivid orange-red body tone and are prized for their intense, fiery appearance. *See an example of a orange faceted fire opal in the pictures above.
A Case-by-Case Gemstone for Us: At Erin Cox Jewellery, we only work with opals on a case-by-case basis due to their delicate nature. While opals can be fragile, we appreciate their beauty and the individuality they bring to jewellery so when we do take on opal commissions, we ensure each piece is crafted with the utmost care.
10. The Legendary ‘Olympic Australis’: One of the most famous opals in the world is the Olympic Australis, discovered in Coober Pedy, Australia. Weighing a staggering 17,000 carats (3.45 kilograms), it is regarded as one of the largest and most valuable opals ever found. This extraordinary gem is 99% gem-quality opal and has remained uncut, celebrated for its sheer beauty and natural form.
Fancy celebrating the magical opal? Why not add this one-of-a-kind 9ct yellow gold and Ethiopian opal necklace to your jewellery box (priced at £869)…
